A Good Man--Bob Smith

Robert E. (Bob) Smith 1945-2002

                                                

Rosalind and I were eating our evening meal on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, when she told me that she had just read the sad news about the passing of Robert E. (Bob) Smith from McNairy County, Tennessee, on Monday, the 5th. She opened the obituary and began to read me the narrative. Bob was born on December 26, 1945, and departed this life just a few days shy of his 77th birthday. He and Wanda were married in 1980 and would become the proud parents of two daughters, Amanda and Monica. They also had three grandchildren. It was so sad to hear this news. Bob was a man that I knew well, having closely worked with him in the McNairy County School System for approximately twelve years.

Bob was a special man who served as the truancy officer for the school system. I don't remembering his ever saying an unkind word about anyone even though he often received criticism because of the nature of his job. During my time as the assistant superintendent of schools, he would occasionally ask me to go with him as he made home visits. I never saw him get mad or use profanity.  He was devoted to his family and would often talk about them fondly as we made our visitations. 

He had great faith. He and I would often meet in the early mornings on school days before work to read the Bible and pray. One particular year we decided to read Psalms and Proverbs throughout the school year. Since there were 180 school days for the students, we decided to read one chapter each day. There just happens to be 150 chapters of Psalms and 31 chapters in Proverbs. We had to double up at least one day of the year (to cover the extra chapter) and/or on days we were out of school because of weather or sickness. That was such a special year when Bob and I became even better friends.

I'll never forget one of his favorite stories which he shared in those early morning devotionals. It was about one of his dog and his two cats. That day our reading in Psalms centered around the topic of kindness. He recalled that his dog began running with some other dogs in the area and got hit by a car. He got roughed up something awful. In rural McNairy County it is not uncommon for dogs to roam at night. Well, on this particular night his dog, though badly injured, was able to make his way home. The next morning Bob saw his dog  very wounded and lethargic, lying in obvious pain under the front porch. This was not very startling in itself because it had happened before, but what happened afterwards was extremely unusual.

Bob's two cats lived outside along with his dog. That dog would often chase the cats and it was sometimes frightening to see these smaller animals escape within an inch of their lives. No doubt, this dog did not like cats!

But now the dog was laid up under the porch. The cats now had free reign. They began to dare to come closer and closer, within a few feet of him, but he was in such pain that he could only languish in his misery and stay put. Bob checked on him daily, taking him food and water. But because he was so bruised and skinned up, the dog just could not make the effort to chase those cats. 

Then Bob noticed something amazing one day. One of the cats inched closer to the dog and began licking the wounds on its hind quarters! The dog just sat there, still. This became a ritual that continued for several days. Finally the day came when the dog started to get better and began to move around. Soon he was back on his feet, roaming around the yard once again. 

But, though that dog would chase the other cat relentlessly, Bob never again saw him chase the one who had licked his wounds! We concluded that morning that this was a great example of how we need to overcome evil with good, the scriptural truth found in  Romans 12;21, "Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good." 

In my reflecting on the life of Bob Smith, I realize that he was, in a very real way, like the first cat--willing to forgive others and even render assistance to them when needed as he often did when people were unkind to him. He was a gentle and compassionate soul. 

Bob was kind to everyone. He had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and a strong advocate of prayer. It was not unusual for him to call me and ask that I put someone on my prayer list. This continued even after our retirements. He will certainly be missed by those who knew him. Bob was a quiet and unassuming leader who had an influence on others. He was truly a humble, obedient servant who patterned his life after Jesus Christ.

Remember, I believe we are all leaders regardless of our position.