Mr. Robert Smith Sr.

Robert Smith, Sr., was born on Sunday, November 30, 1930, to the late Lewis and Blanche Walker Smith, in Barnesville, Georgia. He accepted Christ at an early age by joining Bethel Baptist Church in Lamar County, Georgia. He married the love of his life Rosa M. Underwood on August 16, 1952 and relocated to Cleveland, Ohio shortly thereafter. From their union, they had four children Beverly Ann, Rosemary, Robert Jr. and DeLora. Robert was drafted into the army during time of the Korean War and rose to the rank of corporal, before receiving an honorable discharge in 1952. After the service, he came to Cleveland and worked various jobs before being hired as a Mechanic at Atlas Block. He would eventually land a job with Ford Motor Company as a Certified Hydraulic Engineer. Robert was employed at Ford for over 20 years and said it was “the best job he ever had!” He was also an entrepreneur, and strongly believed that you could not make enough money just working a regular 9 - 5. Therefore, he and his wife owned a trucking business and rental property. Robert was a Do It Yourself expert! He loved to work with his hands and enjoyed fixing on cars, trucks, home projects and rental property. And he had 3 garages and a basement FULL of tools to prove it! Robert truly understood the meaning of family. He and his wife opened their home to other family members coming from Georgia to Ohio in search of a better way of life. He really enjoyed watching his family sitting around the dining room table laughing and talking. And he loved the holidays especially Christmas, his favorite song was “Please come home for Christmas” by Charles Brown. Robert had a good sense of humor, which made his grandchildren create unique nicknames for him. To his granddaughter, he was known as P - Pop and to his grandson he was Main Man. While Robert loved his home state of Georgia, his heart will always belong at 3652 East 117th Street, where you would find him either sitting in the kitchen to keep warm (he loved a lot of heat) or sitting on the back porch smoking a cigarette as he put it “just resting.” On Sunday, July 30, 2017, the Lord called Robert home to rest. In addition to his parents, Robert is preceded in death by three sisters, Fannie Grace Robinson, Bertha Robinson, and Mary Character and two brothers; Willie James (Brother) and Albert Lewis (Shang). He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of almost 65 years, Rosa M. Smith; his children: Beverly Smith-Roberts of Cleveland, OH, Rosemary Smith of Atlanta, GA., Robert (Michele) Smith Jr., of Cleveland, OH, and DeLora (Michael) Nabors of Columbus, OH; his grandchildren: Ronetta Nicole Smith and Edward Roberts Jr., great granddaughter: Iysha Monet Johnson, two brothers: Merrill (Mattie) Smith Sr. of Milner GA, and George Smith of Barnesville, GA; brothers-in-law: Willie (Jessie Mae) Underwood of Barnesville, GA, James (Carolyn) Underwood of Atlanta, GA, Clinton Underwood of Atlanta, GA, Kennie Underwood of Cleveland, OH, and sisters-in-law: Lula M. Smith and Mary Ann Pritchett (Nedric) of Cleveland, OH, Betty Boone of Memphis, TN, Joyce Terry of Raleigh, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends.

Mr. Robert Smith Sr.

November 30, 1930 - July 30, 2017