Robert Edra Smith

Robert (Bob) E. Smith, age 83, of Marianna, Florida went to Heaven on Saturday, September 29, 2018. He was born in Mobile, Alabama and lived all his life in the eastern US, except for 4 treasured years that he spent in Germany serving in the Army. He was a Tank Commander in the Army during his years in Germany, achieving the rank of Major. He was awarded for marksmanship and made an instructor. Those years were some of his most cherished memories and even to his last days he remembered and spoke a little German. Bob was born into poverty and a broken home. He spent several years living with different relatives and worked very hard to be the first in his family to go to college. He worked a wide variety of jobs from age 11. He ultimately earned a Doctor of Education and was the Dean of Students at Northern Virginia Community College in Virginia, and at Chipola Junior College in Marianna. He served on the School Board in Virginia and finished his working career serving as a Psychologist at Sunland. Bob was a very active volunteer in his retirement years by serving in the Gideon’s teaching Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Prison Ministry, and making mission trips to Honduras. Bob worked hard and achieved much throughout life. He got his private pilot license and flew the family on many trips when the children were young. He was passionate about tracing his family tree and many summer vacations were spent tracking down information in courthouses and cemeteries throughout the South. Bob loved FSU football and going to the beach. He was fortunate enough to take his dream trip to Hawaii twice and always talked about going back. Whatever Bob did, he was both leader and servant. He had a love of learning and teaching. In his later years Bob was afflicted with dementia. He spent his last months in a Memory Care facility in Tallahassee where he made a lot of special friends and was happy. He continued to serve by trying to care for his fellow residents when he was able. The family would like to thank the special workers of Harbor Chase for the genuine affection they showed to Bob. They were caregivers who truly loved and respected him. Thank you also to the amazing workers of Big Bend Hospice for taking care of Bob and his family in so many deeply meaningful ways. Bob is survived by his wife, Connie, children; Steve, Sarah, and Andy, and grandchildren; Gabriel, Asa and Aviv. He is preceded in death by his son, Philip, his parents, Ballard and Emma Smith, stepmother Mandy, and his siblings, Dolores and Charles. Visitation will take place on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 1:30pm CST at First Baptist Church of Marianna with a memorial service to follow at 2:00pm CST in the Family Life Center. Inurnment will take place at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Marianna. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Gideon’s or the Florida Baptist Children’s Home. Scotti Barden of Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee, FL is assisting the Smith family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193).

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Robert Edra Smith

August 2, 1935 - September 29, 2018