Robert Arthur “Bob” Smith

Published 7:44 pm Friday, September 25, 2020

Mr. Robert Arthur “Bob” Smith, age 87, a resident of Shad Bend Drive, Washington, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, at his home.

A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Winsteadville, at the Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery, 2766 Savanna Road, Belhaven, conducted by Benjie Forrest and Shawn Harding.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Mac Hodges, Steve Fuchs, Sammy Deans, Shawn Harding, Stan Hudson and Phillip Elks. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Clark, Jimmy Oakley and Johnny Hawkins.

Mr. Smith was born in Beaufort County on June 2, 1933. He was the son of the late Ellis Arthur Smith and Gladys Cayton Smith. Mr. Smith was a graduate of North Carolina State University. He served his country in the U.S. Army. Mr. Smith taught vocational agriculture (FFA) at Chocowinity High School for many years. Later, he retired as Dean of Continuing Education at Beaufort County Community College.

As a teacher, Mr. Smith was highly respected. His students were the love of his life. Mr. Smith served in many capacities in Vocational Agriculture and the FFA. He served on the Beaufort County Planning Board and past vice chairman of Board of Trustees of Beaufort County Community College. Mr. Smith was past president of the Chocowinity Ruritan Club and served on the Ruritan Council. He was a Federal Crop Inspector and insurance agent with Jefferson Standard.

In his spare time, Mr. Smith enjoyed fishing and reading. He was an avid gun and coin collector. Mr. Smith had battled Parkinson’s Disease for the past 20 years.

On June 16, 1979, he married the former Carol Williams, who survives.

Surviving with his wife are his son, Harold Robert Smith and wife Ronda; his daughter, Stella Dwaine Smith; two grandchildren, Justin Robert Smith and Emily Elizabeth Smith; stepson, Ted Wayne Smithwick and wife Clara; two step-granddaughters, Maria Townsend, Jessie Smithwick; three step-great-granddaughters, Kayla Smithwick, Emily Adams, Mikenzie Smithwick; two nieces, Andra Corcoran, Amanda Morse; and sister-in-law, Judy Marslender.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by a brother, Ellis Ray Smith.

The family will receive friends at his home, 217 Shad Bend Drive, Washington, prior to and following graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Smith family.