Robert William "Pappy" Smith

Mr. Robert William “Pappy” Smith, age 91, went to his heavenly reward Thursday, August 2, 2018 in Biloxi. He was born in Bronx, NY and had been a longtime resident of the MS Gulf Coast. He was a retired U. S. Air Force Veteran with over 26 years of service with the rank of Tech Sergeant. While in the military he served in Chapel Services and as an instrumentalist. For 25 years He was a piano teacher at the MWR Center at Keesler AFB, and 29 years as the organist for St. Matthews Lutheran Church. He had three retirements during his life time. He attended Burton Memorial Methodist Church in Gulfport where he served as the pianist for eight years before his passing. Mr. Smith enjoyed bowling and yelling at Braves Baseball. He was an avid participant in Little Theater and a lifetime member of the Omaha Playhouse. He was past president of Biloxi Little Theater and performed in hundreds of plays along the Gulf Coast. His latest was in June 2018 at Bay St. Louis Little theater. He performed in several television productions including the Lucile Ball show Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen Smith, and siblings John, Jim, Roberta Milne, Ethel Sacher and Fred. Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Janie Smith; two sons, Wesley (Cathy) Smith and Spencer (Wanda) Smith; his daughter Dorothy Smith Guerra; one brother, Thomas C. Smith; five grandchildren, Jynette Purser, Samantha Slay, Theresa Baldwin, Miles Smith and Paige Foskey; six great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Donnie II, Baldwin, Andrew and Madelyn Slay and Westley and Vivien Purser. In lieu of flowers the family prefers that donations be made to the Bay St. Louis Little Theater, 398 Blaize Ave., Bay St. Louis 39520. A memorial service will be held Monday, August 6, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 2511 Pass Road, in Biloxi where friends may visit from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.