U.S. Army Ret. COL Robert "R.T." Smith, Jr.

R.T. Smith, Jr. (Robert Theodore) (Colonel, U.S. Army Ret.) born July 24, 1935 in Lumberton, NC, a resident of Fayetteville, NC, went to be his Lord and Savior on Monday, June 27, 2016, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

R.T. was a devoted follower of Christ and a loving husband, father, and grandfather.   He was an active member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church and enjoyed travelling and sailing.  R.T. retired as a colonel from the United States Army in 1982 after 24 years of loyal and dedicated service.  He then began a career as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, where he founded what is now the Smith, Smith, Bledsoe Group, where he continued to care for his clients until the time of his death.  He was a member of the Fayetteville Kiwanis club, the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, and a former board member of the Fayetteville Family Life Center.

R.T. is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marthalou Haworth Smith; his son, Steven Smith and wife, Kathy; his daughter, Kirsten Faircloth and husband, Eddie;   grandchildren, Worth Smith and wife, Felicia, Garrett Smith, Bennett Smith, Anna Kathryn Smith, Max Faircloth and Paige Faircloth; and brothers Julian Smith and Charles Smith.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Beatrice Smith of Lumberton.

A memorial service officiated by Rev. Bruce Herrmann is planned for 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church.  The family will welcome friends in the gathering Hall from 9:30 until 10:45.  A private family burial is planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, pastor’s discretionary fund, 701 Westmont Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28305; Operation Inasmuch 531 Hillsboro St., Fayetteville, NC 28301; or the Fayetteville Family Life Center 114 Highland Ave., Fayetteville, NC 28305.

Services are entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory, Inc.