Robert Lyndsay Smith, age 93, a resident of Pulaski, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Maury Regional Medical Center under hospice care with family members by his side.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a future date, details to be announced when finalized.
He was born on May 26, 1931, in Rupert, Idaho, the son of the late Arthur Thomas Smith and Elizabeth Symon Smith. For more than thirty years, he faithfully attended the Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church in Pulaski, Tennessee.
Born to a Scottish mother during the Depression, whose father was a Presbyterian minister of The Free Presbyterian Church in Perth, Scotland. Her strict religious childhood remained embedded in her throughout her life; of six children, three of her sons became ministers, including her youngest son, Robert.
Robert graduated from The College of Idaho and continued his studies, graduating from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. After he was ordained, he was appointed as an associate pastor to the First United Methodist Church of West Allis, Wisconsin. While there, his interest in overseas missions developed, leading him to accept a position as a missionary for the United Methodist Church in Malaysia, moving there with his wife Lee, and his three young children for four years.
After his mission, he returned to the States, earning his law degree from The University of Idaho. He began his work as an attorney, continuing his service to others by sometimes providing legal services, knowing that they may not have the funds.
He then became the legislative aide to Steve Symms in the US House of Representatives, made a run for the US Senate, and then continued his work for Symms who was later elected to the US Senate. After eight years in Washington, DC, he moved to Big Pine Key, Florida, and accepted a position, returning to the ministry at Big Pine United Methodist. The church had a dwindling attendance at the time, but his new pastorship began to draw attention. As the attendance grew to standing room only, the need to build an addition to the sanctuary was evident to accommodate the increasing number of people showing up each week.
The church became a center for this community, adding new rooms for a nursery, holding AA meetings, Ballroom dance lessons, bible studies, Boy Scout meetings, and so many other functions. He was eventually asked to give sermons on a local radio show, reaching many more people.
While there, he donated the parsonage to a young family as they recovered from a tragedy. A room in the church was provided for a young man to live who had nowhere to go. He believed that sometimes changing the world happens by helping your fellow man one by one.
He and his wife, Lee, retired to Giles County to be closer to their family. A number of his congregation from Florida also came with them, building a small community called County Choice. Many of them attended the Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church as well. The quiet beauty of this part of the country and the kindness of the people here have been a wonderful place for this chapter of life.
In 2018, Robert suffered a stroke, but his speech and mind were not compromised. His wife Lee, never left his side and took wonderful care of him. The traditional wedding vows which include, in sickness and health, were witnessed as she inspired us all in what the true meaning of this is. A love story that celebrated 72 years of marriage and a life filled with adventure.
Robert, known as Bob is survived by his wife who lives with her family, Eraleen Smith of Pulaski; daughters Susan (Clint) Hemphill of Pulaski and Patricia (Jody) Thompson of Franklin; son, Arthur (Ellen) Smith of Pulaski; grandchildren, Michael Haley, Robert Farnworth, James (Joanna) Haley, Julie Farnworth, David Farnworth, and Wyatt Smith; great-grandchildren, Ellis Haley and Jonah Haley. His family is large and includes many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Arthur, Donald, and David, and sisters, Grace and Constance. He and his siblings were known to the family as The Big Six, and being the youngest, they asked him to “turn the light out” when he left.
The family wishes that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse.
