Robert “Robby” King Smith IV
Robert “Robby” King Smith IV, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, left this world surrounded by the love of his family on March 20, 2024. He was 57. In his typical fashion, he was stubborn, fighting until the very end, and showing us all the selfless act of being an organ donor, saving lives, and giving back to many.
Robby was born in Chattanooga, on March 1, 1967, to Judith (Dabbs) Smith and Robert (Bobby) King Smith III. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School. He studied at Chattanooga State Community College. He was a proud sergeant in the U.S. Army, deployed and served in the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He gave 25 years of service as an Electrical Designer/Drafter at Campbell & Associates, Inc. He was an artist, a songwriter, a lover of sad songs and music in general, happy in the outdoors, and a huge Tennessee Vols fan.
He strived to be the best father he could be to his two precious children and was so proud and boastful of everything they accomplished. He was genuine and loved his family, his children, his friends, and his country fiercely. He was a fighter, sensitive, sentimental, and nostalgic. He missed the days of being a kid. He was generous, loving beyond all boundaries, had struggles that were always something he wanted to overcome and he tried, and he was an honorable man in every way. Robby was all of this and so much more. As Nathaniel Rateliff sang, “I’m gonna need someone to help me, I’m gonna need somebody’s hand, I’m gonna need someone to hold me down, I’m gonna need someone to care.” Robby, thank you for loving and caring for all. We loved and cared for you more than you can ever know.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, R.T. and Kathleen Dabbs, his paternal grandparents, Robert King and Kathline Gang Smith, and his loving parents, Robert (Bobby) & Judith (Judy) Smith III.
Robby leaves behind his two beautiful children, Caleb and Haley Smith; two adoring brothers, Ricky Smith, and Danny (Christy) Smith; nephews, Chase, Chance, and Will Smith; nieces, Chandler (Smith) Yarbrough and Caitlyn Smith.; Aunt Sandy (Don) Nelson; cousins, Denise (Jon) Larson, Greg Nelson, and Katie (Kenny) Taylor; extended family, his dog Junior, and a multitude of lifelong friends that truly cared about his wellbeing.
Visitation will be on Thursday, April 4, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Lane Funeral Home – South Crest Chapel at 833 Chickamauga, Ave., Rossville, Ga. 30741 with a burial service at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404 immediately following.