Robert Thomas Smith

Robert Smith, age 79 of Katy, TX, went home to be with the Lord on October 19,2025. Flissy, as he was known by his family and friends, was born on July 24, 1946, in Houston, TX to the late Albert Powell Sr. and Mildred Smith. Robert attended Booker T. Washington High School, where he was a star football player.

Robert spent 25 years working for the City of Houston Public Works Department, where he retired from on December 1, 2004. After retirement, Robert decided to re-enter the workforce for a brief period of time and started working at Horizon Adult Daycare, where he was a bus driver and transported adults with special needs around to different activities and places.

Robert accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by the late Rev. Crutcher at Pleasant Green Baptist Church. He became a Deacon at Alief Baptist Church and later joined Straightway Tabernacle of Praise under the leadership of the late Pastor Clayton W. Powell.

His hobbies included football, cooking, especially his world-famous BBQ and BBQ sauce, cruising, big birthday parties, and other sports as well as classic cars.

His final days were spent with his caregiver team, which included Lucy Chenault, Jemal Pettit, Pleshette and Kerris Oliver, Ja’ Marius Pettit, Kerrah Oliver, Cervaanz Chenault, and Kyslynn Oliver, who was there to the very end.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents Albert Powell Sr. and Mildred Smith, his brothers, Hollis Smith, Lonnie Smith, John Smith, Clayton W. Powell, and Roosevelt Powell.

He is survived by his sisters, Polly Gentry of Houston, TX, Lucy Chenault of Katy, TX, and Mildred Smith of Brookshire, TX. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.