Robert Harvey Smith

Notes:

Buried:
Robert Harvey Smith joined his Lord and Savior on May 14, 2020 while surrounded by family in the home of his daughter, Stacie Smith Crim. Originally from Elizabethton, Tennessee, Bob, also lovingly known as “Bob Bob” to his grandchildren, will be remembered for his steadfast faith in Christ, his love for people, his wit and wisdom, and his service to our country during World War II. To know him was to understand why his was called the Greatest Generation.
After the war, Mr. Smith spent most of his life in Greenwood, Miss., where he moved in 1954 with his bride, Rachel Joan McGee and their infant son, Brent. The two had met in Memphis, Tenn., not long after Bob began working for McKesson Robbins Drug Company. During his forty-five-year tenure, Mr. Smith was a standout salesman. He was only the third person to represent McKesson in the Mississippi Delta since the company established the territory in 1879. Despite his young age, he formed such a strong customer base that he would go on to be named the nation’s number one wholesale salesman twice in his career. His success is a reflection of the profound relationships he cultivated with all. Of course, if you asked Mr. Smith, he gave all the credit to his devoted wife Joan and to “the finest group of customers in the world”. He was beloved not only by his coworkers, but also by the many grateful store owners for whom he would go to the ends of the earth.
After his retirement in 1990, rather than adopting the comfortable life of a retiree, he devoted his energy to First United Methodist Church where he was a member since 1954. He served in many capacities, including as chairman of the administrative board for ten years and as finance chairman for fourteen. He likewise enjoyed helping his son and daughter-in-law, Brent and Laura Smith, at their own pharmacy in Oxford, Miss. Chaney’s Pharmacy benefitted from both Bob’s wisdom and ebullient spirit, as did we all.
Mr. Smith was born in 1925 to William and Opal Smith in Elizabethton, Tenn. He joyfully celebrated his ninety-fifth birthday surrounded by his children on May 2. He was a member of the 1938 Elizabethton High School football team, who went on to win the school’s only state championship and to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. At the young age of eighteen, he departed East Tennessee after being drafted to aid in America’s fight in the Second World War. As part of the 42nd Infantry Division—known as the “Rainbow Division”—of the 232nd Infantry Regiment, Company K, he rose to the rank of technical sergeant. The Rainbow Division landed in Marseille, France in December of 1944 and served six months as part of a task force under General George Patton. Afterward they marched into Germany, where Sergeant Smith earned the Bronze Star for his action in the Battle of Wurzburg. He continued on with the Rainbow Division to liberate Dachau, the first concentration camp established by the Third Reich.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-five years, Joan McGee Smith; his son David Barton Smith; his parents; and his sister Geraldine Smith Peters.
He is survived by his son Robert Brent Smith and his wife Laura of Oxford, Miss.; his daughter Stacie Smith Crim and her husband Bill of Jackson, Miss.; his five grandchildren David Barton Smith II and his wife Leslie of Oxford, Miss., Aynslee Alexander Smith of Oxford, Miss., William Lee Crim III and his wife Kelly of Hattiesburg, Miss., Dr. Rachel Barton Crim of Charlottesville, Va., and Robert Balie Crim of Oxford, Miss.; his great-grandson Barton Brent Smith of Oxford, Miss.; his sister Christine Eller Smith of Elizabethton, Tenn.; his brother-in-law Dale Gassaway McGee and his wife Jan of Memphis, Tenn.; his two nieces Teresa Peters Broome and her husband Rick of Elizabethton, Tenn.; and Sharon Peters Purdy of Arlington, Texas; his nephews Lyle Vinson McGee of Monroe, La.; and Michael Wade McGee of Atlanta, Ga.; and several great nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 19, at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park in Memphis, Tenn.

William married Opal Vestal Oliver on 20 Feb 1921 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Opal (daughter of John Smith Oliver and Martha Jane Hilliard) was born on 4 May 1901 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina; died on 28 Dec 1992 in McMinn County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Martha Jane Hilliard about 1885 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina. Martha was born on 26 Nov 1867 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina; died on 17 Mar 1951 in Washington County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1870 Watauga County, NC census:

Cove Creek
Household 108

John Oliver35MNC
Rebecca35FNC
Americus11FNC
Elizabeth9FNC
John7MNC
William4MNC
Jane M.2FNC


1880 Watauga County, NC Census:

Cove Creek
Household 134

John Olivar45MNC VA NC
Rebecca45FNC NC NC
America21F"
John17M"
William14M"
Jane12F"
James10M"
Julian6F"
Hattie4F"

John married Rebecca Swift in Nov 1857 in North Carolina, , , . Rebecca (daughter of James Swift and Lydia Eggers) was born on 15 Apr 1835 in North Carolina, , , ; died on 5 Dec 1912 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1900 Watauga County, NC Census:

Cove Creek
Household 150

Rebecca Oliver(widow)65 Apr 1835NC NC NC
Julia A.26 Aug 1873NC NC NC

Household 152
William F. Oliver34 Feb 1866NC NC NC
Mary J.34 Aug 1865NC NC NC
Monroe E.13 Jun 1887NC NC NC
Louisa A.8 Nov 1892NC NC NC
Eddie W.6 Apr 1894NC NC NC

1910 Watauga County, NC Census

Cove Creek
Household 311

William Oliver44NC NC NC
Mary44"
Monroe22"
Lou18"
Eddie14"
Rosa7"
Charles5"

Household 317

Niley Church31NC NC NC
Rosa27"
Thelma9"
Bulie(F)6"
Laney(S)5"
Iven(S)3"
Rebecca Oliver75"Mother-in-law