Robert "Harold" Smith

Robert “Harold” Smith

Stapleton, GA  –         Robert “Harold” Smith, 76, loving husband of 58 years to Carol Helen Stapleton Smith, entered into his eternal rest late Tuesday night, October 6, 2020, at University Hospital. Services to celebrate his life will be held at 2:30 P.M. Friday afternoon, October 9, 2020 in the James Funeral Home Chapel with Smith Dickson officiating.  Interment will follow in the Reedy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:30 P.M. Friday afternoon, October 9th prior to the services.

Because of the family’s concern for public health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that social distancing and other safety precautions be followed.  The wearing of face masks is strongly encouraged.

One of four born to the late Ethel Newsome Smith and the late Rufus Smith, Harold grew up in the Stapleton-Avera-Gibson region where has lived all of his life.  Being a patriot, he joined the Marines, serving during Viet Nam. After returning home, he worked with his brother in the logging business before working as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Thiele for 19 years.  A hard worker and one to always be busy, Harold also brokered timber and land through his personal business, Southland Forestry.  In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Having a great sense of humor, he loved to make people laugh—he wanted everyone to be happy.  Loving his community and being civic minded, Harold served eight years as Mayor of Stapleton.  A loyal, dependable friend, he made himself available to others and helped out anyway he could.  Being a staunch family man, his love for his family was steadfast and unconditional.  His greatest joy was spending time with his grandson, who stole his heart completely.   The void Harold’s death has left cannot be filled, but he will live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Others left to cherish his memory include his children, Robert “Scott” Smith and Stacy Stapleton Smith; grandson, Jonathan Lee Smith; siblings, Wayne Smith (Cornelia), Clyde Rabun and Sandra Huff; other extended family and many friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Smith Dickson, Tony Kelly, Tony Newsome, Michael Smith, James Willoughby and Jimmy Willoughby. Honorary pallbearer is Harold’s “right hand man”, Tommy Barker.