Always true to himself, Cheetah was a free spirit. Not a follower of men or trends, he lived by his own convictions, his own justice, his personal belief in a higher authority and undeniably awesome rapport with his family and friends. As can be expected, Cheetah was always prepared to lighten the mood of any gloomy situation with a joke. His smile and laughter were contagious. He simply shined. His bubbly laughter, humor and joy graced all that knew him.

He was preceded in death by his late wife, Gloria Jean Westbrook Smith, a son, Master Gregory Smith, his mother and father, a brother, John L. Smith, and a sister, Liza Pearl Kimbrough (Willie Lee).

He leaves to cherish his memories two daughters, Patsy D. Smith-Ligon (Melvin) and Valerie Smith, both of Tuskegee, Alabama; a son, Robert Smith, Jr. of Anchorage, Alaska; six grandchildren, Jhia Sha'Ronn Gordon, Shakyria Nicole Gordon, Quinton D'Angelo Pace, Pertrice Kadhari Sampson, Trevous Grigsby and Melvin Ligon Jr. and one great-grandchild, Jordan Miguel Pace; his former wife, friend and mother of his children, Patricia Ann Barney; three sisters, a devoted brother, and sister-in-law, Ruby Ross (Joe) of Camilla, Georgia, Juanita Carter (Melvin Sr.), of Albany, Georgia, William Smith (Bernice), of Camilla, Georgia and Mary Alice Smith, of Camilla, Georgia; two special cousins, Emmanuel Drakes (aka Coon) and Elaine Drakes, both of Camilla, Georgia, two devoted nieces Andriana Hutchings and Teresa Faye Knight; and, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Special thanks to the Staff and Care Team at John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital (Thomasville) and Mitchell Convalescent Center for the care and support they provided.