Robert E. Smith - Obituary

n Monday, October 10, 2016, Robert Ernest Christopher Smith went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born on May 3, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Thomas Noble and Vera Mae Smith. His formal education began at the Tuskegee Institute and culminated at Howard University with an under graduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in public administration. He retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs as Assistant Field Officer after serving 31 years in 1994. After retirement, he returned to government service at the Department of Mental Health serving as Chief of Operations, Division of Human Services until May of 2005. Robert is survived by his devoted wife, Marlene, and his former wife, Shirley A. Smith; his children, Robert (Monica) Hill, Marlon (Syreeta) Smith, Lance Smith, Jeffrey (Karen) Woods and Tawana Woods-Brown; his sisters, Doll Varner and Barbara Jackson. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his sons, Gregory ( Lanaya) and Sean (Beth) Smith. Friends may call at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745 on Saturday, October 15 at 3pm until the time of service at 4pm. Interment private.