Robert Franklin Smith

The following obituary is being posted as a courtesy to the Smith family. On behalf of the MRC family, our love and prayers are with the Smith family.

Henderson, NC

          Robert Franklin Smith, 97, passed away peacefully on Monday July 17, 2023, at his home in Henderson, N.C. Born February 24, 1926 in Stanly County, N.C., he was the son of the late Bessie Hudson Smith and Frank Ray Smith.  Frank attended Albemarle schools and volunteered for the US Army Air Corps. At the end of WWII, he was discharged and started his career with Rose’s 5 and 10 in Albemarle, NC. He was transferred to Kannapolis N.C. as a store manager where he met his wife, Alice Stricklin Smith when she was teaching high school English. They were married on October 1, 1950 and moved to Gainesville, Georgia and eventually to Henderson, N.C. With Rose’s Stores being headquartered in Henderson, Frank worked for the company for 37 years and retired as the Merchandise Manager for soft line wearables.

Frank was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Henderson, the Henderson Rotary Club where he served as President, and the Henderson Country Club and Star Hill Golf Club. He played many rounds of golf at both clubs with his group and especially enjoyed the fellowship and comradery that was formed on the golf course. During his golfing career, he had an amazing 21 “holes-in-one” and shot his age more times than anyone could count. Frank also enjoyed flying his Cessna 182 with many trips to Emerald Isle, N.C. which became their second residence. Frank also enjoyed fishing with his children both at the coast of North and South Carolina and at Kerr Lake. He relished his yard and gardening in both Henderson and Emerald Isle. Planting many varieties of potted plants and flowers became his later life passion. Frank also enjoyed collecting cars and took enormous pride in their care and upkeep, no matter the car’s age.

He was an incredible father and provider to his four children who survive him including Jo Smith Riggan and her husband Joe of Henderson, NC, Carol Smith Andrews and her husband Andy of Raleigh, NC, Shelly M. Smith and Robert Franklin Smith, Jr of Wrightsville Beach, NC. In addition, he is survived by two grandsons, Alexander B. Andrews, V (Bo) and Hudson Smith. He is also survived by a brother, Larry Smith. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Rhyne Smith Andrews Callens and his wife, Alice.

There will be a family service held at Old Saint David’s Cemetery in Cheraw, S.C. where Frank will be laid to rest next to his wife, Alice, of 72 years.

In lieu of expressions of sympathy, the family requests that donations be made to Saint David’s Cemetery Association, PO Box 1196, Cheraw, S.C. 29520.

Online condolences may be made at    www.jmwhitefuneralhome.com .

Arrangements are by J.M. White Funeral Home.