“Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away” — MacArthur

Robert Smith Jr., 91, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, July 13, 2017, at 8:45 p.m. at his Nashville residence, Brown County Health & Living Community.

He lived in the Indianapolis/Greenwood area over 60 years. Robert retired from the railroad after 39 years of service as an inspector of train cars. Robert’s first job was unloading mail off trains at Union Station in downtown Indianapolis when he first started with the railroad.

On Feb. 10, 1949 he married his wife/sweetheart for life, Virginia Helen Lowe Smith from Glasgow, Kentucky. Helen preceded him in death Feb. 14, 2009. They were members of Gray Road Baptist Church in Indianapolis.

He loved the great outdoors, especially gardening, and a green thumb he was!

Survivors include his daughter, Karen L. Smith of Brown County.

He was the eldest of 11 children by Robert Smith and Mattie Belle Elmore Smith; plus three siblings with Robert Smith and Ester Wicks, all  of Scottsburg, Kentucky.

Survivors from the Smith family include three sisters, Mary Jean Smith Morris of Indianapolis, Minnie Smith Hicks of Greenwood, and Donna Smith Rose (Charlie) of Indianapolis.

Junior was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents; four sisters, Arline Smith Dillon of Glasgow, KY, Rosie Smith Hentrup of Indianapolis, Hazel Smith Grizzle of Glasgow, KY and Joyce Smith Craig of Indianapolis; and six brothers, Eddie Smith and Michael Smith, both of Scottsville, KY, Alfred Smith of Glasgow, KY, Joe Smith of Goodlettsville, TN, William Smith and Jimmie Smith, both of Indianapolis.

Funeral service was July 22, at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenwood Chapel. Calling was prior to the service. Burial with military honors was in Greenwood Cemetery following the service.

Karen, his daughter, kindly asks that memorials in her dad’s name be sent to American Legion Post 13, 902 Deer Run Lane, Nashville, IN 47448.

You are invited to read Robert’s obituary at www.wilsonstpierre.com, where you may sign the guest book and share a personal message for the family.