Obituary of Robert Sinclair Smith

WEST COLUMBIA - Robert Sinclair "Bob" Smith, Sr., died Friday, September 13, 2013, in the WJB Dorn Veterans Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina. Mr. Smith was born July 19, 1926, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, the son of the late Robert Sinclair Smith and Bertha Genes Smith. Bob was the second baseman on the Bennettsville High School baseball team that won the 1942 State Championship; he lettered in both baseball and football. Upon graduation, Bob joined the U.S. Navy and served honorably on an LST in the Pacific during World War II. At the end of the war, Bob returned to Columbia to attend the University of South Carolina where he met and married the love of his life for 61½ years, Ruth Caughman Smith. Bob was a successful salesman for over 35 years having worked at Thomas & Howard, RJ Reynolds, Philips Electronics and ultimately retiring from ITT LustraLite Division where he won numerous awards as top salesman. He was a Mason, Shriner and member of the Scottish Rites, American Legion and VFW. Bob believed the most important thing he did in his life was to become a Christian and was a devoted member for over 48 years at North Trenholm Baptist Church of Columbia, where he served as an usher, Sunday School teacher, and Deacon. Surviving are his son, Michael Stephen Smith (Nancy McCarthy) of West Columbia; his daughter, Ruth Jeannine Smith Rocha of Miami, FL; his daughter-in-law, Helen Pasquino Smith of Lexington; his three grandchildren, Joseph Neil Smith (Linsay) and Kevin Scott Smith (Aggie) of Gilbert, AZ, and Rene F. Rocha, III of New Orleans, LA; and two great-grandchildren, Porter Scott Smith and Scarlett Sinclaire Smith of Gilbert, AZ; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert Wayne "Bozy" and Jackie Caughman; his nephews Gary and Craig Caughman; and great niece Emily Caughman. Mr. Smith was predeceased by: his wife, Ruth, and his sons, Robert Sinclair Smith, Jr. and Joseph Albert Smith; and his sister, Margaret Smith MacLaren. Visitation and funeral services will be held at North Trenholm Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon, September 15, 2013. Visitation will be at one o'clock and will be followed by the funeral service at two o'clock. Officiating will be the Reverend Joe Copeland. Burial will follow in Lybrand Cemetery, Delree Street in West Columbia. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice. The family would like to especially thank the doctors, nurses and staff at WJB Dorn VA Hospital for their service and care of Bob.