Robert L Smitherman

Robert Leak Smitherman August 29, 1929 – April 28, 2016 Robert Leak Smitherman, 86, of Wilson died Thursday. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016 at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park. The Rev. Rusty Russell will officiate. The family will receive friends 1 – 2 Monday at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway and other times at 4105 Country Club Drive NW, the home of Pat and Allen Etheridge. Born August 29, 1929 in Wilson County, he was the son of the late Julia Capps Smitherman and William Smitherman. He was the only son and youngest of four children. Coming from a fairly large family, Robert was blessed with 8 children of his own. Late life conversations were always surrounded by all of the wonderful memories that were made by raising 5 daughters and 3 sons. Married to his soul mate for 65 years, nothing meant more to him than being with the love of life, his wife, Bea. They would travel often and always advise all of the children to do the same. One of his favorite pastimes was watching wrestling with his grandchildren in his earlier years. Nothing warmed his heart more than Sunday dinners with the family. He often spent a majority of that time measuring the height of the grandchildren with markings on the wall. You could often hear the laughter of the children in the background where PaPa would have the children in a “tickle” hold. He had a great work ethic. At the age of 15, he started working for the City of Wilson. He began his career as a linesman and after 40 years of service, he ended his career as an inspector. He would talk about his career with the City often and about how much he loved his job. He was a man of tremendous faith and member of Peace Church where he served as treasurer of his Sunday School class and often drove the church van. He leaves a legacy of Jesus and Love. Mr. Smitherman is survived by daughters, Patsy Etheridge and husband, Allen of Wilson, Deborah Coffey and husband, Richard(Dick) of Wilson, Angelyn Smitherman and fiancé, Craig Danielson of Wilson, Deanna Scott of Apex; Goddaughter, Donna King of Wilson; sons, Tommy Creech and wife, Nelda of Newport, Wayne Smitherman and wife, Sharon of Bradenton, Florida, Garland Smitherman and wife, Marianne of Wilson; son-in-law, Gordon Joyner of Elm City. Mr. Smitherman is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice Lee Smitherman; daughter, Rachel C. Joyner; grandchildren; Beverly Etheridge Spencer, Kent “Termite” Spencer, George Anthony Creech and Mark Wayne Joyner, son-in-law, James Alvin Scott. Memorial contributions are welcome and should be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 1305 Navaho Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, North Carolina 27605 or by going to alz.org. Special thanks to all of the people at Wilson Pines Nursing and rehabilitation Center. Condolences may be directed to www.joyners.net.