Robert Elgin Smith III

We sadly announce the passing of Robert Elgin Smith, III, (Robbie) 78, on Monday, March 10, 2025 at his home in Pompano Beach, FL due to a lengthy illness with congestive heart failure. Born on July 8, 1946 in Hinds County, Jackson, Mississippi, Robbie was preceded in death by his father, Robert Elgin Smith, Jr., Canton, MS; mother, Cathelene Marie Ball Smith Singer (stepfather Edward), Stoughton, MA; and only sibling, Ronald Steven Smith, Braintree, MA.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Barbara Cecile Sheffield Smith of Pompano Beach, FL; Siamese kitties Angel and Beau; cousins David Kent Ball (Darlene) of Mobile, AL, and Tereese Ball Collette Cox of Florence,MS; Second cousins Frank Collette, Jr., Christopher Collette, Daniel Collette, Christian Cox, Curtis Ball, all of Florence, MS and Jonathan Ball of Brandon, MS; Sister-in-law Patty Grant Smith of Braintree, MA; Brother-in-law Terry Lamar Sheffield (Linda Gail) of Richland, MS; Sister-in-law Erika McGowan Sheffield, and step-niece Pamela Regina McGowan Smith (Richard) of Jackson, MS. Robbie is also survived by nieces and nephews Grant Steven Smith, of Tewksbury, MA, Kara Lynn Smith of Quincy, MA, and Ross Edward Smith of Braintree, MA; Thomas Shane Sheffield (Shana), Kristin Nycole Sheffield Ingram (Benton), Chadwick Lamar Sheffield (Sabrina), all of Flowood, MS; Tracy Michelle Sheffield Lindsay (Paul) of Clinton, MS, Joseph Daniel Sheffield of Florence, MS, Megan Elizabeth Sheffield Rutland (Robby), and Alex Douglas Sheffield (Anna) of Terry, MS. Also remembering their Uncle Robbie are dearest grand nieces and nephews that were also loved and adored: Grand-nieces Gabrielle Nycole Ingram, Ava Grace Ingram and Starlee Rebecca Weir, all of Flowood, MS; Grand-nephews Thomas Easton Sheffield, Lincoln Lamar Sheffield, Benton Elijah Ingram, Isaac Ruel Ingram, Thorin Lamar David Sheffield, Dominus Chadwick Sheffield, all of Flowood, MS; and newborn Beau Ronan Smith of Tewksbury, MA.

Early in life, Robbie attended Duling Elementary, Bailey Junior High and Murrah High Schools in Jackson, MS. At Murrah High, Robbie began his love of playing football as a defensive end tackle in his junior and senior years at Murrah High. While the Murrah Mustangs captured the 1963 City Champions title, his senior year, they gave up the North Big 8 Championship title game to the Corinth High Warriors. Upon Graduation, Robbie received an athletic scholarship to play football at Hinds Junior College in Raymond where he made All-State Conference Honors Offensive Guard his sophomore year and he was elected Class Favorite his Freshman Year. It was at HJC that Robbie developed a close lifelong friendship with previous former rival, Corinth High School, MS running back Wayne Thomas, whom he loved like a brother and spoke to often on the phone, even up to a week before Robbie’s passing. Upon graduation from Hind Jr. College he received a football scholarship to play his final two years varsity football eligibility at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS.

In 1969, during the height of the Viet Nam War military draft, like many young men, Robbie’s draft number was called for service in the Army while he was still a student athlete at Millsaps, but he elected to quickly join the Navy instead of being drafted. After Navy boot camp he became Adjudant of his Corp School Company which were trained to become Hospital Corpsman, assigned to go along beside Marines into battle. However, due to his strong and sturdy stature, he was instead gratefully assigned to serve in the psychiatric unit at Balboa Navy Hospital in San Diego, California and fortunately never made it to the Viet Nam front lines of battle. Robbie shared that he was humbled to have earned the trust of the physically and mentally injured soldiers sent to recuperate at Balboa, as he notably was among the few who could effectively communicate with Viet Nam Vets who had extreme cases of PTSD. As an added note, he was slated to play football for the Navy and was to report to Pensacola, but due to there being too many active duty soldiers, commanders began looking to find reasons to honorably discharge. Robbie’s medical exam showed he had a prior physical disability from a football knee injury prior to entry on active duty, and he was given an honorable discharge from the Navy in December 1969.

After his Navy discharge, he enrolled later enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS to complete his Bachelor’s of Science degree where, despite having already played out his college football eligibility at Millsaps College, he trained and tried out to become a varsity cheerleader in graduate school with the dubious honor of being elected the oldest (26 years old) and biggest USM cheerleader on record (6’2” 230 lbs)! To his joy, he was able to cheer at home games and travel to away games with all expenses paid, while remaining physically active! Robbie shared that he found it hilarious when the Southern Eagles were losing once, a student in the crowd yelled, “Put that Big Cheerleader in!” Once again, life worked in his favor and it was a win-win situation for him to be able to cheer for the team sport he dearly loved and attend all the games with the team! He also worked with Special Olympics two years while at USM.

In December 1972, while in graduate school at USM, Robbie finally met the woman whom his heart and soul desired, and on August 4, 1973 he married the love of his life, his wife of 51 years, Barbara Cecile Sheffield Smith. He deeply loved and was devoted to his wife, their cats and dogs, who were their fur baby children throughout their lifetime together. They began their early marriage living in Canton, MS briefly while he earned his real estate license to work in the housing industry, and later relocated to Jackson and Brandon, MS where he taught and coached football at Raymond High School, McCluer Academy, Pelahatchie High School and Brandon High School. During these early years, Robbie also elected to join the Air National Guard of Mississippi as a Reserve of the Air Force, and he received an Honorable Discharge after 3 years of service.

Robbie left his early career in teaching and coaching to enter sales, where he proved to be a natural fit with Fram Auto-Lite American manufacturing in the automotive industry. After a brief employment with Fram Auto-Lite, he was pursued by a customer he regularly called on to enter the oil industry as a salesman with Specialty Oil Company in Jackson, MS. He joined Specialty in sales and in 1983, he was transferred to Shreveport, Louisiana to become Division Manager for the Specialty Oil Company home office. In 1990, Robbie and Barbara transferred to Boca Raton, Florida where he assumed an oil sales position with Consolidated Oil Company in Port Everglades, FL. For the next 35 years, he continued to work in the fleet, commercial and industrial lube industry as a qualified Industrial Lubrication Engineer in South Florida. With his effervescent personality and employment with Consolidated Oil, he became affiliated with all the major oil companies including Quaker State, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobile. His final 21 years in the oil sales industry were with Tropic Oil, an independent oil company based in Medley, FL; and during the past year and a half, until his passing, he gratefully continued to work part-time with Faraldo Fuel Service in Key West, FL doing what he always loved—servicing and visiting his family of customers.

While living in South Florida, Robbie enjoyed playing golf, attending the Daytona 500 NASCAR Races with customers, friends and family, going to the Atlantic Ocean beaches, taking cruises to the nearby Bahamas and Caribbean, dining out, and entertaining family and friends who were visiting and vacationing in the area. He also enjoyed coaching football again part-time for a couple of years at Pine Crest Preparatory School in Ft. Lauderdale where his wife taught high school art.

Robbie’s greatest satisfaction was being with family and friends, working the Florida Keys down to Key West, calling on customers who were like family to him, and bringing home jumbo shrimp and lobsters to share with family during Christmas. To the amazement of all, Robbie continued to work part time until his passing, as he loved his customers like extended family members! In the end, as it turned out, retirement was never an option for him!

Robbie was a contented man and joyful soul who never concerned himself with personal or worldly issues. He often replied to any concern, “Don’t worry, the Good Lord will take take care of it.” He enjoyed a personal, deep-seated faith relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, ever striving to model the Master’s love, acceptance and forgiveness to all as he reached out to help those who were in need. He will always be remembered for giving a sturdy, firm handshake, displaying a genuine smile, handing out endearing nicknames, and offering an uplifting spirit of joy and positivity to all in his presence. And, as one close sales colleague and friend Bob Ostendorf remarked, “Robbie spent most of his life working in the oil industry, which he totally enjoyed. He loved the interaction with people and the camaraderie and friendship it fostered. He was always excited about being able to help people in his cheery, personable way. He was an amazing man who earned the respect of others and whom all looked forward to seeing and interacting with in a most unforgettable way.” For certain, the Robbie Smith we all knew was most beloved and revered by his dearest wife, family, former students, athletes, colleagues, and customers throughout his lifetime and he shall be always remembered and greatly missed by all.

After cremation at Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home in Ft.Lauderdale, FL, Robbie’s final resting place will be his interment in the Vicksburg, Mississippi National Cemetery where he will be granted a full Military Honors Service, including a 21 Gun Salute. The time of the service will be announced at a future date on social media as there is a waiting list for veterans for interment at national cemeteries.

Robbie remained to the very end, most grateful for dear family and friends who touched his life during his earthy existence and he looks forward to being reunited with all loved ones at their own Divine Appointment! Hallelujah for the promise that our souls will be reunited for all Eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!

In lieu of flowers to honor Robbie’s memory, he humbly requested that as caretakers of the animals on earth, personal donations may be made to the MS Animal Rescue League or local No-Kill Animal Shelters in MS or your area.

✝️The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and the pain of death shall not touch them. To the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have perished, but they are at peace. ✝️🕊️

It can be a great comfort to a grieving person or family to hear that others thought highly of their loved one, too. If you knew and admired Robert be, sure to let the family know by writing a few words in the "Memory" section of his obituary on the Kraeer - Fairchild Funeral Home website. www.KraeerFairchild.com.