Obituary of Robert Paul Smith

Rev. Robert Paul Smith, age 83 of Sweet Valley, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, September 25, 2015 at the Bonham's Nursing Center, Stillwater. Rev. Smith was born in Martinsburg, PA on September 12, 1932 and was the son of the late Simon, Sr. and Melda Miller Smith. Robert graduated from Bristol High School. He was a former member of Community Bible Church, Sweet Valley, where he served as a deacon for over 25 years and was presently at Grace Community Church in Dallas. He graduated from Prairie Bible Institute in 1960, where he majored in missions. Robert served faithfully with New Tribes Missions from 1961 to 1973, both in the United States and Brazil. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Simon Jr., Richard, and Edward Smith and sisters, Joanne Smith and Lorna Wolfe. Robert is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, the former Anne Whitesell; daughter, Liane Bacon and her husband David of Sweet Valley; grandchildren, Joshua, Emily, Jared, and Joel; sister-in-law, Sandy Smith of Belton, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 11:00 am from Grace Community Church, 4122 Memorial Highway, Dallas, PA 18612, with his pastor, Rev. Roland Preisler and Rev. Raymond D. Purdy, Jr. of the Living Word Baptist Church, officiating. Friends may call on Tuesday from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Pikes Creek. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to New Tribes Missions, 301-399 W. Fulton St., Sanford, FL 32771, for work in Western Brazil or the Special Olympics, Attn: Web Gifts,1133 19th Street NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036-3604