Robert Marshall Smith

The celebration of life will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at Cornerstone Bible Church, Lilburn GA with Pastor Mark Smith (son) and Pastor Chuck Taylor officiating. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. The graveside service with immediate family will precede at 1:00pm at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Tucker, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bobby’s memory to Cornerstone Bible Church, Lilburn, GA.

Bobby was born May 22, 1934 in Elberton, Georgia, son of late John Raymond Smith and late Addie Ruth Smith.

He was a graduate of Fortsonia High School, class of 1951. After finishing high school, he moved to Atlanta GA and began working at C&S National Bank. In 1956 he was drafted into the US Army and so his previously planned February, 1957 wedding to Loretta Arlene Dell was moved up four months. Bobby served four years in the Army as an MP. For two of these he was stationed in Chinon, France, accompanied by his new bride. After his military service, he returned to C&S National Bank until his retirement from there in 1989. He then went on to work at Georgia Pacific until retiring from work in 2000.

Bobby dearly loved his wife and the rest of his family. He set an example of hard work and no fuss, exemplified through his passion for gardening and yard work every weekend. He also passed on an avid following of the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs to many throughout his family. He was an active member of several churches in his life, including Forrest Hills Baptist Church, Decatur, GA, Forest Presbyterian Church in MS, pastored by his son Mark, as well as his home church, Cornerstone Bible Church, in Lilburn, GA. In all of these he set an example of humble service.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Arlene of nearly 67 years; Daughter, Lauri (Mike) Petty of Lawrenceville, GA; Son, Mark (Jayna) Smith of Forest, MS; Son, David (Tori) Smith of Fayetteville, NC.

Grandchildren: Justin Petty of Jacksonville, NC; Benjamin Petty of Lawrenceville, GA; Zach (Leah) Petty of Athens, Ga; Jonathan Petty of Lawrenceville, Ga; Joshua Smith of Gulf Shores, AL; Megan Smith of Forest, MS; Lucas Smith of Chicago, IL; and Samuel Smith of Forest, MS.

Great Grandchildren: Oliver Petty, son of Justin Petty.

Bobby was preceded in death by his sisters Betty Butler and Roberta Barwick. He is survived by his sister Malinda (Gene) Jernigan of Canton, GA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.floralhillsfuneral.com for the Smith family.