Robert William Smith

Mr. Robert William Smith, age 94, of Mayfield entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. He was born in 1927, the son of Robert Smith and Martha Lona Hill. He grew up hunting, fishing, farming, and caring for his horses in Western Kentucky with his brothers Stanford, Raymond, Wilford and Hershel and his sisters Pearl, Robbie, and Dolly. He was the last remaining of his siblings and is now rejoicing with all of them in Heaven. In 1945, he answered the call of his country and served in the Army near the end of World War II, stationed in Korea. He loved his country and never failed to salute the flag and stand for the National Anthem. Upon his return home from Korea, he met, and in June 1949, married the love of his life, Dorothy Tynes. They had two children David Lynn and Rhonda Gail. They celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in June. He spent many years upholstering furniture and had a very large vegetable garden every year through his late 80’s. When William was 34, Bro. Willard Davis, the pastor of New Home Missionary Baptist Church visited him while he was working in the field. He gave his life to Jesus Christ and has been a member of New Home for the past 60 years. He appreciated the opportunity to serve as a Sunday School teacher. He became a Deacon of the church in 1978. He was a faithful servant of God in church, at home, at work, and in the community. He was a mentor and friend to many and loved serving the Lord in any way possible. He would often sing Gospel Hymns and praise his Savior while working in the garden or sitting outside under his favorite trees. William loved his family, nieces and nephews, friends, and church family. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the Bible and experiences of his life. He also liked writing stories about his childhood and hunting for rabbits. He had several hunting dogs throughout the years but his favorite was the one who grew old with him, King. William is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his son David Smith (wife Martha), and daughter Rhonda Fulkerson (husband Joe deceased); 4 grandchildren, William Jason Phelps, Daniel Smith, Andrea Phelps Bean, and Shannon Smith Tarnowski; and 7 great grandchildren, Darcy Smith, Triden Fuller, Colyn Bean, and Alexander, Elizabeth, Isabella, and Liliana Tarnowski; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, all of his brothers and sisters, and many other precious close friends and family members. Services remembering his life will be held at Collier Funeral Home in Benton Kentucky on Monday October, 25, 2021 at 2pm. Visitation begins at 11am. Burial will follow at New Home Missionary Baptist Church with military honors.