Robert Barksdale "Bobby" Smith, Sr , 84 of Ridgeland formerly of Greenwood died Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 1, 2016 at Wilson & Knight Chapel. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Wilson & Knight Funeral Home and Friday 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Greenwood. Rev. Tom Sykes will officiate. Wilson & knight Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by two sons Robert Barksdale Smith, Jr. and wife Beverly of Meridian and Gregory Bardin Smith and wife Rosie of Madison, seven grandchildren Robert Barksdale Smith, III, Mary Gregory Porter and husband Doty, Justin Taylor Smith, Kathryn Rose Kidd and husband Sterling, Kristen Smith McAllister and husband Thompson, Mollie Bardin Smith, Stuart Peyton Smith, Great Grands: Kinsey Bardin Smith, John Benz Porter, Landon Page Smith , Walter McCraw Porter, Gavin Max Smith and his loving sister-in-Law Debbie Bardin Chambers.
Robert "Bobby" Barksdale Smith was born and raised in Greenwood, Mississippi, and spent most of his adult life there. He loved Greenwood and always considered it home, although he spent the last 5 years in Madison and made many new friends there.
Bobby graduated from Greenwood High School in 1949, where he was a talented athlete. He was invited to play baseball at Mississippi College, and he played there for 2 years. He was a lifelong fan of Mississippi State, however, and he transferred there to complete his collegiate education. After transferring, he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Following his graduation from Mississippi State, he joined the United States Air Force. After completing his service, he returned to Mississippi. Bobby began his career with State Farm Insurance before starting his own real estate business, Bobby Smith Reality. Mr. Smith found great success with his new venture, and he stayed there until he retired in 1999.
Bobby was an avid duck hunter, bird watcher, and reader. He enjoyed Mississippi State sports, Atlanta Braves baseball, dancing, and golfing. Indeed, if he wasn't watching the PGA on Sunday afternoon, he was probably playing his own round with his two sons and their friends.
As he grew older in age, he treasured time spent with his family and his church. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and beloved dog, Delta, with all of his heart, and he lived for his chances to be with them.
He nurtured a very tender and sweet relationship with Jesus Christ and was an active church member.
The joy of his life was in his marriage to Patricia, raising his two boys, and being with all of the grandchildren and great grand children he has left behind. The family takes comfort in knowing that after a nearly fifteen-year separation, Bobby is home again with Patricia, dancing with the angels.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 wonderful years to Patricia Bardin Smith, and his parents Billy and Edna Smith, three brothers Frank Hart Smith, Billy Whit Smith, Eddie Smith.
Pallbearers will be Rob Smith, Justin Smith, Stuart Smith, Doty Porter, Thompson McAllister, and Sterling Kidd
Honorary pallbearers will be Cade Bryant, Mac Carr, Tommy Lovelace, and Jim Campbell.