Robert Edwin Smith, Sr

Mr. Robert Edwin “Buster” Smith, Sr. age 68, fifth child of Herman and Thyra Kirkpatrick Smith passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the family residence. He was born March 3, 1944 in Laurel, Mississippi and attended public schools there graduating from Laurel High School with the Class of 1962. After graduation Buster volunteered for the United State Marine Corp serving a tour of duty in Viet Nam. He worked in several careers after leaving the military and on February 12, 1984 he married Susan Darlene Foster in Baton Rouge, La. He and Susie moved from the Ft. Myers area to DeFuniak Springs in 1994 where Buster was employed with Embarq until his retirement in 2006. He enjoyed salt water fishing and that is “what he did” every chance he got. Recently Buster and his family lost an important member of the Smith Household, “Thunder”, Busters best friend and canine companion for some sixteen and a half years. Buster will be laid to rest next to his friend. He is preceeded in death by his sister Bennie, a son Scott, his mother and father and Thunder.

Among survivors are his wife Susie Smith. His sons, Ricky Smith, Jacob Smith, Austin Smith and Justin McRae and wife Rhonda. His sisters, Bobbi Stone and husband Robert; Martha Rickerfor and husband Ronnie and Carol Wilson and a special niece Jeni. A brother-in-law W. M. Watkins also survives.

Services will be held Monday, May 14, 2012 at 6:00 P.M. in Southwide Baptist Church.