West Covina : Citizen of the Year Named

The Rev. Ray Smith, pastor of St. Martha’s Episcopal Church, has been named West Covina Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce.

Smith, founder and first board president of the West Covina Food Bank, received the distinction for his contributions to the community, which range from involvement with the West Covina Lions Club and various city commissions to efforts on behalf of battered women and in fighting drug abuse by children.

A first vice president of the Lions, Smith is heading a fund-raising effort for the YWCA Wings Shelter for battered women.

Smith graduated from Oregon State University and earned a master’s degree in pastoral psychology at Yale University. He was ordained in 1970 and became St. Martha’s pastor three years later.