Bob L. Smith, 87, passed away on July 19, 2020 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS.
Bob was born September 1, 1932 to the late Oliver and Myrtle Smith, Springfield, Colorado. His church affiliation was First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the D. J. Savage Bible Class, Men for the Master singing group, Staff-Parish Committee and Lay Representative to Methodist Annual Conference. He also volunteered for the Oktibbeha County Hospital Auxiliary at the hospital entrance desk. Active memberships included Wild Life Turkey Federation, Quail Unlimited and AARP.
He graduated from Springfield High School and received a B.S. degree from Adams State College and a M.S. degree from Western State College in Colorado. He retired after 37 years of coaching and teaching in Vilas and Springfield, CO and Macon, MS. Later years he served as elementary school principal for the Starkville Public Schools, Starkville, MS.
Many activities kept Bob busy: gardening, hunting, camp house activities with family, and watching all MSU athletic events.
Survivors include his wife, Norma Jean Smith of Starkville, MS; daughters, Terri Delynn Smith Patterson (Don) of Star, MS and Conni Gail Smith Sockwell of Southaven, MS; grandchildren, Jonathan Leslie Patterson (Amelia), Katie Marie Heathcock (Jordan), Benjamin Hart Patterson, Joseph Lee Patterson, Michael Allen Reid (Muriel), Catherine Taylor Pickering (William), Morgan Leigh Sockwell, Samantha Marie Sockwell; and great grandchildren, Keller Leslie Patterson, Oliver Green Patterson and Henry Vation Heathcock.
He leaves numerous relatives and friends in many states. Deceased relatives include his first wife, Katie Marie Miller Smith; his parents, Oliver and Myrtle Smith; sister, Olive Marie Smith McFarland (Charles) and Billie Alvoretta Smith Tempia (Arthur); and brother, Merton Oliver Smith (Genevieve).
Pallbearers are: four grandsons, Jonathan Leslie Patterson, Benjamin Hart Patterson, Joseph Lee Patterson, Michael Allen Reid, William Pickering and Jordan Heathcock.
Honory pallbearers are: Larry Box, Larry Brewer, John Copeland, Jimmy Dye, Larry Oswalt, and Roy Ruby.
The private graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at Memorial Garden Park Cemetery in Starkville, Mississippi. Rev. Bob Whiteside will conduct the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Palmer Home for Children, 912 11th Ave. South, Columbus, MS 39701 or to First United Methodist Church in Starkville, MS.
Hello I want to say that I am deeply sorry for your loss and would like to share a scripture with the family. It is found at Acts 24:15 which says, “15 And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” Here we see that God, whose name is Jehovah is going to bring our dead loved ones back to life. This is a time many people look forward to. I hope this message is a source of encouragement for the family.