Roy L. Smith, Sr., son of the late Roy Campbell Smith and Mattie Ruth Harper Smith, passed away on December 9, 2012, with his wife, son, and family members at his side. He is survived by his wife, Diane Smith; Sons, Roy Smith, Jr. and Michael Ray Smith; Stepdaughter, Cheryl Redding; Stepson, Chris Bagby; and his beloved sister, Norma Wills. Roy was "Granddaddy" to Scott and Paige and "Bubba" to Chase, Jennifer, Matt, Ross, and Catherine. He was affectionately called "Baby Brother", "Bubba", "Smitty", and "Pops" during his lifetime. He answered to them all with pride. He was charming, charismatic, and funny to the end of his life.
Roy was a longtime restauranteur in Clarksville, having owned Shakey's Pizza Parlor for many years as well as Bubba's Barbeque. He also retired as the Delivery Supervisor for the main office of the US Postal Service in downtown Clarksville. In his retirement he loved helping his son at the Cumberland Grille as the bookkeeper.
He was a former Marine and attributed much of his success in life to the training he received in the Marine Corp. He developed discipline, pride, strength of character, self-confidence and determination that identified him as a man for the rest of his life. He used these skills to help those around him become stronger and more confident. He took great pride in motivating the underdogs of the world to achieve goals they never thought were possible. He was kind and generous with employees and led by example, never asking anyone to do anything he wouldn't do himself.
He was an avid reader and most warm days you would find him on the deck with a beer, a book, and his dog, Simba. After his illness you would find him sitting in his lounge chair by the fireplace still reading from his Kindle. Roy loved sitting by the pond "drowning minnows" on summer days with a buddy; mowing or mulching leaves on his zero turn; watching college football and basketball; March Madness; Duke basketball; Vanderbilt sports of any kind; riding in his red car listening to his favorite music; grilling a steak; the peace and eerie silence of Shiloh Battlefield; playing card games on the computer; his dog, Simba and waiting for the humming birds to arrive in the spring.
But most of all he loved his sons and was proud of their accomplishments. Like their dad, they've grown to be kind, caring, and compassionate men. He was a loving husband and my best friend and I will miss him everyday as will those whose lives he touched. I will miss the little poems he wrote me on birthdays and Valentine's days and the special meals we cooked together. There is nothing so loud as the silence of his absence in our home, but I will carry him always in my heart. I will love you forever and I hope you meet Simba at the rainbow bridge. Diane
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2012 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home. There will be a family celebration of his life at a later date. If you wish to honor Roy's memory, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2000 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203 or the Humane Society of Clarksville, PO Box 571, Clarksville, TN 37041.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.