By Staff
Brewton
Dr. Robert Russell &#8220Bob” Smith, 74, died Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at his residence after an extended illness. He was a native and life-long resident of Brewton. He was a member of Brewton First Presbyterian Church and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He served as Chief of Staff at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital, as president of the Escambia County Medical Society, as president of the Alabama Chapter of College of Surgeons, and a director of the Bank of Brewton. He was on the Escambia County Hospital Board and practiced surgery in Brewton from 1965 to 1996.
He is survived by his wife, Gail Owens Smith of Brewton; six children, Follin (John) Gerdy of Conestoga, Penn., Leigh (Brent) Faircloth of Mobile, Kate (Joe) Lavelle of Boston, Mass., Traci (Jim) Hughes and Russell (Margaret Ann) Smith, both of Brewton, and Mary Margaret (David) Stephenson of Birmingham; one brother, James F. Smith Jr. of Montgomery; and 11 grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 30, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Brewton with the Rev. John Mathieu and the Rev. John Finklea officiating. Burial followed at Union Cemetery with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 748, Columbus, Miss. 39763; Big Oak Ranch, P.O. Box 507, Springville, Ala. 35146; or American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Brewton.