Obituaries
Sharie Lynn Smith, 50, Drowned
in the Deschutes River
P
ard signs informing
ortlander Sharie
people of where the
Lynn Smith died
takeout is before Lava
Aug. 4 in a raft-
Island Falls and the
ing accident on the
hazards that are ahead,”
Deschutes River, and
the KTVZ team report-
local residents there
ed.
are
questioning
“However, the signs
whether there should
are close to where the
be more warning signs
falls actually occur, and
on the stretch before
raft guides warn this is
the Lava Island Falls
a fast-moving current,
rapids.
leaving one to wonder
Smith, 50, was float-
if the signs can be seen
ing in a small rubber
soon enough.”
raft with friend Angelia
Sharie Lynn Smith
Smith was born in
Chase, when their craft
New York but had
was swept through the
rapids and both were thrown into the water. lived in Oregon since her early teen years.
Chase was rescued clinging to vegetation She graduated from South Albany High
on the side of the river; Smith was discov- School and then from Portland State Uni-
versity with a degree in Psychology.
ered at the bottom of the falls.
Both women were wearing life vests and
drugs and alcohol were not a factor, accord-
ing to news reports and family members.
Central Oregon television station KTVZ
reported last week that 11 people have
drowned in the Deschutes since 2005.
KTVZ reporting team Renee Nelson, Bar-
Known by the family nickname “Sun-
ney Lerten and Kim Tobin interviewed river
raft guides who say it’s common for tourists shine,” Smith was an artist, former model,
to misjudge the longer stretch of the and entrepreneur who sold items she made
Deschutes, where calm waters can change herself at the Portland Saturday Market and
into rapids within minutes – spelling danger at Last Thursday on Alberta Street.
In past years she owned the Vintage
to anyone unaware of the river’s features or
unable to see the danger signs posted on the Vogue resale shop in Downtown Portland.
Smith was very active in outdoor recre-
trail to the water’s edge.
“There are warning signs, as well as haz- ation. Her family says she especially loved
Ray Suell, 63
R
aymond Earl Suell Born May 7, 1949, passed
away Aug. 10, at Oregon Health & Science
University. He was 63 years old. He was born to
the late Maxie Lee and Celeste Suell in Center,
Texas. He grew up on the farm in Mt. Gillion.
Suell is survived by his two brothers, Royce Suell
and Bill Suell, sisters, Myra Mitchell, Joanne
Suell Green and Matti Neal. He leaves behind a
host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is
preceded he in death by older brother, Ennis Suell.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday Aug.
17, at Corner Stone Community Church of God in
Christ, 2216 NE Killingsworth St.
visiting Oregon’s natural hot springs, camp-
ing, riding her vintage Schwinn bicycle, and
walking her dog Domino.
Smith also loved being in water, “be it on
a cruise vacationing with family, waterski-
“She has left an incredible, very special bond in
her family’s heart that will never be broken.”
ing in South Lake Tahoe or rafting down a
river,” her sister KrisAnn Washington says.
Smith lived in the Boise-Eliot neighbor-
hood, and volunteered at community gar-
dens around the area, but suffered a
no-cause eviction several years ago that
drove her out of Northeast Portland com-
pletely.
Her struggle with gentrification and her
fight to keep her apartment were covered in
an article in The Skanner News, and her
story is included in the Urban League of
Portland’s State of Black Oregon report.
Washington says that Smith was on the
Price Is Right the first year Drew Carey
became host, and “won showcase prizes
worth thousands.”
Smith had no children of her own, but she
is survived by 10 brothers and sisters.
Services have already been held.
“She was very adventurous, gregarious
and outgoing,” Washington says. “During
her service the one common thread for all of
us was her big heart and her willingness to
help anyone who needed her.
“She has left an incredible, very
special bond in her family’s heart that will
never be broken.”
August 15, 2012 The Portland Skanner Page 5