Robert H. Smith

Oconee Enterprise
Friday, January 28, 1927
Page One

Dr. Robert H. Smith Answers Last Call

The uncertainty of life is again forcefully demonstrated in the passing of Dr. Robert H. Smith at 12:40 o'clock Saturday morning, January 22, at his home in Watkinsville. Only a few days before, in full health and vigor, going about his daily rounds where duty called, and in a twinkling cut down by the grim reaper, who is no respecter of persons, and forever removed from the midst of a devoted family circle and his thousands of grief-stricken friends.

Dr. Smith was born in Oglethorpe county sixty-five years ago and for more than twenty years had made his home in Watkinsville. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lila Colclough Smith; two daughters, Miss Jane Smith, who is in charge of girl scout activity in Charleston, West Virginia, and Sara Joe Smith; two sons, John Robert Smith and Francis C. Smith, all of Watkinsville; two sisters, Mrs. Young of Union Point, and Mrs. Wright of Atlanta; one brother, Mr. Edd Smith of Comer, and numerous other less close relatives.

The funeral was held in the local Methodist church Sunday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, conducted by Dr. E.L. Hill, pastor of the First Presbyteran (sic) church of Athens, assisted by Rev. E.D. Kelley, Rev. John H. Wood and Rev. W.F. Lunsford, interment following in Watkinsville cemetery.

The active pallbearers were A Y Crowley, W H Ashford, W W Downs, A L Barwick, L F Johnson, J A. Osborn. Honorary pallbearers: Dr. E H Kenimer, Dr. J T Elder, Dr. W H Hodges, Dr. H M Fullilove, Dr. M F Mathews, C A Duggan, F D Gillen, R R Burger, W M Nicholson J A Wilson and Robt. Ashford.

No man in our community could have been taken who will be more sorely missed than Dr. Smith - his place cannot be filled in the hearts of those his professional skill and sunny nature lifted from sickness to health. Perculiarly (sic) successful in his practice, especially so with children, many today in health owe their very existence to his sympathetic faithfulness to them in former hours when their lives were just on the dividing line and were saved by his ceaseless watchfulness and his intuitive knowledge of doing the right thing at the right time. There possibly may have been as good, but certainly there were few superiors to Bob Smith as a general practitioner.

Practicing in the writer's family for more than twenty years, coming into the intimate relationship existing in this life only between the "family doctor" and his patients, we can hardly steel ourself to the saddest of duty in feebly attempting to chronicle his passing. Our pen falters, our eyes well in tears, and our heart is wrung in anguish as the thought overwhelms that no more can we call, no more can we lean upon him, and no more will his faithfulness thwart the inevitable in future occasions demanding his presence and professional advice.

Many the times have we witnessed his ministration to fevered brows and bodies racked with pain, in the dead hours of night, cold, sleet and storm, as well as fair weather and pleasant - all season, all times - ever cheerful, never hurried, only withdrawing from the couch of pain until his medicines had brought relief, seemingly keeping every individual patient close to his heart and never relaxing vigil until all danger had passed. Small wonder then that so many bleeding hearts today mingle bitter tears with the family he idolized because of his going home.

Friend, physician, confidant, farewell! Beneath the sod your earthy castle lies but away and beyond your spirit soars in the world of peace and calm, and methinks through ethereal spheres, after a life well-spent, trying labors over - we catch the sweet refrain as your faithful soul wafts back to loved ones and friends the cheering song of deserved surcease from toil and pain, -

Adieu, sweet friends - I have waited