Robert E. Smith

Robert E. Smith passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 surrounded by the love of family and friends after a lengthy illness. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; and his father, Fred Smith. Bob is survived by his mother, Dorothy; sister, Carol Rodriques; brother, Don Smith (Nancy); daughters, Sandra Mahoney (Bobby), and Carol Newman; grandsons, Trae Mahoney and Zachary Kaletsch (Sascha); granddaughters, Stacy Schmidt (Gavin) and Caty Hulett(Dean); great grandchildren, Justin Hulett, Gavin Schmidt, Natalie Hulett, Houston Hulett and Sophia Kaletsch. Bob was an avid golfer until medical problems kept him off the golf course. He retired after 2o years from the United States Air force as a Master Sergeant in 1984. After that he enjoyed part-time employment in a number of businesses and golfed three days a week at Sunkist Country Club where Ruby worked in the Pro Shop. Bob lost the love of his life, Ruby; 5 years ago after her battle with undiagnosed ovarian cancer. He knew that she was not well, but let her call the shots on her medical care until she was so ill that he took charge. By the time she was diagnosed, she lived only a few weeks. He never recovered from that loss. We all loved and cared very deeply for our Bob. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who always put family first. He was generous when it came to family needs. We would like to extend a thank you to the hospice care personnel who were appointed by Keesler Air Force Medical Center, and a very special thank you to his personal caregiver, Dee Dickson and his very special friends, Wendy Herbert and Cindy Turnage, whose love and care helped him move through the dying process with dignity. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 26, 2013 at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit one hour prior. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.