Robert Elkins Smith

Robert Elkins Smith left us on January 1, 2010 to be with his loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born November 11, 1935 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, but considered Wilmington his ?home town.? His mother, Francis Smith Hodges, preceded him to her heavenly home in December 2004. Robert is survived by his wife and best friend, Sylvia Savage Smith. They celebrated fifty years of marriage in July 2009. They shared a life that compares to none other as he would say, ?We always had each other, but not everything we want, but God always provided everything we needed.? He is also survived by a daughter, Rebecca Smith Zoltek, who blessed him with two wonderful grandchildren, Q. Alexander and Olivia M., of Raleigh, North Carolina. A son, Robert Earl Smith and his wife, Sandy. They also blessed him with two loving grandchildren, Trevor and Tori Eliana, of Mars Hill, North Carolina. His extended family included cousins in Fla. His brother-in-law, William E. Savage, and his sister?s ?wife? in-laws, Phyllis Morgan, Connie Fussell, and Monika Savage. His faithful companion and comforter was his pet, ?Snuggles?. Robert loved Windermere Presbyterian Church and all it?s members where he served as an elder for many years, taught Sunday School, and joyfully sang in the choir. He served his country proudly in the U. S. Army in Korea. He was an Envoy member of Beta Sigma Phi International, a former member of Amity Lodge No. 340, A. F. M. of Florence, South Carolina and also Wilmington, North Carolina. Robert Loved creating and designing in his wood-working shop. Robert and his wife, Sylvia, were graduates of New Hanover High School in 1955. Robert retired after thirty-seven years of service with CSX Railroad ?Formerly Atlantic Coast Line,? where he worked in Jacksonville, Florida, Florence, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina. Family will receive friends on Sunday night from 7:00 p.m. ? 8:00 p.m. at Andrews Mortuary on Market Street. Funeral services will be at Windermere Presbyterian Church on Monday at 2:00 PM. He will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Oleander Memorial Gardens. Special thanks to Dr. George Huffmon and Dr. Kamran Goudarzi for their loving care and the 3rd floor staff at New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the staff of Cornelia Nixon Davis Health Care. They are truly ?angels? among us. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations for a Memorial Fund to Windermere Presbyterian Church, 104 Windermere road, Wilmington, NC 28405 in Robert?s memory.