I first met Mr. Smith when I worked at the Home Office for Colonial Life.  On our first conversation he scolded me for attending the wrong school....NC A&T SU.  From that day forward we became instant friends.  There was not a week that went by that I did not call him or Erica or Rosetta just to say hi and check on things with all of them. Likewise he would always call and try to convince me that I should sell insurance and move to GA.

He will truly be missed by all.  I will remember his laughter and his ability to always tell it like it is no matter what you thought about what he said.  I know that he truly loved his family because of the many stories he told me on the phone while I was multi-tasking with work and talking to him.

I am sad to know that I will not have those laughs and conversations any more but I am also glad that he is no longer suffering and that he is finally at rest. We talked so much about his family and mine that I feel that I not only lost a friend but a treasured family member.  Your family will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Remember the times you shared together and cherish the memories of his wonderful life.

Judy and Family

I am so sorry for your loss, but it is God's gain.  I know Bob is telling stories and making everyone laugh in heaven. 

Bob was a great friend and provided encouragement to me while we were members at Hillcrest.  He always had that ever present smile and deep belly laugh. He would look at you sideways and you almost thought he was serious and then that smile would give him away every time. 

He was so proud of his family and only wanted the best for each of his children. 

I am sorry that Becky and I will be unable to attend any of the services for him since we are out of town.  Please know we are praying for each of you.  God bless and take care.

I spent a day at work with Robert observing him and his staff as a requisite for a program that I was involved in. The day started very slowly, just hanging out, talking and laughing with everyone. In the back of my mind I thought that this was going to be a very short day and I would get home earlier than usual.

Robert treated me to lunch at Olive Garden and told me that we had just completed recess and now it was time to work because he had to do a presentation in Atlanta at the police department beginning at 2 p.m.  After a quick drive to Atlanta, the presentations started (watching Robert use all of his many talents at making other laugh, feel comfortable and buying his product ).

I thought that we’d be finished at 3 or 4 p.m. but we didn’t finish until 5:30 p.m. and still had to drive back to Decatur. What I remember most is thinking, “Man if I had gone to work today, I’d be home in McDonough by now.” I shared these thoughts with him and he just laughed (so did I).

He always gave me a hard time whenever I visited Hillcrest and claimed I only showed up when food was being served :). I'll miss him but glad his suffering has ended.

When we were children we would compare who was the meanest uncle Uncle Robert or  my father Uncle Offey. The results were usually 50/50 depending on who recently yelled at us. As adults we come to realize that hey weren't mean but misunderstood. Both in  their speak your mind approach knew how to get the best out of people no matter how bad it might have made them look.

When my wife met Uncle Robert and introduced herself as Shakeema  he responded "What kind of name is that?" She said well what are your children names and he responded, "Kelvin, Clifton and Jaquetta." My wife responded, "JAQUETTA" What kind of name is that?" The entire room burst out in laughter and they hit it off from the jump.The same for my daughter. She only met him on one occassion but she was glued to him the entire period he was in Jersey. If the two most important women in my life could fall in love with him from first sight and recognize his greatness then thats good enough for me. 

  Rest Peacefully Uncle Robert you will forever be missed!

I first met my father-in-law about 18 years ago while dating his son Kelvin.  He made a very strong first impression on meeting.  I was visiting at their house sitting at the dining room table when he came home and the first thing he said to me with a stern voice was "that's my chair you are sitting in!" I looked around at everyone else for a chuckle because I thought he was being funny.  No one laughed, so I proceeded to get up and move to another seat.

From that point on there were many "firm" comments and remarks he made to me. It took me years to get used to him.  But I did and I learned that his bark is MUCH louder and firmer than his bite.  I also learned that it was not just me that he was that way with.  That's just how he was; with everybody!  He was never afraid to speak his mind.

On the outside he sometimes acted like a grizzly bear, but in reality he was nothing but a teddy bear.  Especially when it came to his family and grandchildren.  I feel honored and blessed to be a part of the Smith family.  I feel proud that his grandchildren will continue his legacy and grow up to be strong individuals.  

 

I was living in NY and I flew down to Atlanta to talk to Mr. Smith. I already knew him from being friends with Kelvin; and I had been dating his daughter Jacquetta for a couple of years.

When I came to the house, he said "Let's take a ride".  And we drove all around the city talking about everything.  We talked about God and the Church. We talked about relationships and family.  We even stopped to grab a bite to eat.  Over the latenight breakfast that we ate, he pulled out the bible and we read passages together.

From that moment on, he treated me like his very own son in the truest sense.  I'll never forget the one quote he told me in a very "Bob Smith" kind of way. He said: " I don't know how to spell divorce, but I do no how to spell murder".  And he laughed and laughed.  At the time I only smiled.  But now I laugh when I think back at it.

He sure did have a way of making a point while at the same time making a joke.