Growing Up With Raleigh: Smedes York Memoirs and Reflections of a Native Son, Conversations with John SharpeSmedes was once asked as a child what did you want to be? His answer: I wanted to be part of our family business after attending college. I also wanted to attend and play basketball for North Carolina State University. He did both. Smedes grew up with Raleigh. He saw the city evolve from a small state capital with legislative and educational institutions to the vibrant metropolitan community that it is today. The Smedeses and the Yorks put their mark