Robert Smith Jr.

Robert Smith, Jr. was born on December 8, 1959, in Chester, Pennsylvania to the late Evelyn Pinckney Smith and Robert Smith, Sr. On December 31, 2024, Robert was called by the Lord to transition to his heavenly home for eternal rest. Robert was affectionately known as “Junie” by his family, and “Mohamed” or “Moe” by some of his long-time friends. Rob started his Christian journey at Bethany Baptist Church, where he sang for a period of time in their male choir. Rob was raised in the city of Chester, and attended schools in the Chester School District, graduating from Chester High School, Class of 1977. During Rob’s high school years, his interest was sparked in becoming a volunteer firefighter. After attending classes at fire schools in Dover, DE and Sharon Hill, PA, he became a Junior Firefighter at several fire stations in Delaware County including Chester Township, Aston-Beechwood, Upland and Franklin. Throughout his life he remained friends with many local firefighters, fire chiefs, and police officers. Although becoming a volunteer firefighter during his high school years was rewarding, he felt the desire to do more for mankind and his country after graduating high school. With his mother’s approval, Rob joined the United States Army at the age of nineteen. From 1978–1980, he served as a mortarman throughout his service career, and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1980 after suffering a service-related back injury. Rob served our country well and was so proud to be an Army veteran. He loved buying and was proud to wear his favorite army hats, shirts, jackets and even more proud when strangers would say to him “Thank You for Your Service”. You could always count on seeing some type of army decal placed on the back of his truck. After Rob’s military career, he was employed for several years and retired from Rollins Environmental Services, Inc. He would often share stories about the dangers involved with his position. The more dangerous the position, the more he loved doing what he did. After retirement, Rob held various other positions to keep himself busy throughout the day. He worked for the Chester Upland School District from 2002-2005 as a school crossing guard, and then from 2006-2011 as a bus aide. Rob became a proud father to two sons, Robert Walker born in 1979 and Emein Smith born in 1982. Sadly, his son Emein transitioned to his heavenly home for eternal rest in 2005. Rob was a loving grandfather who enjoyed spending quality time with his grands, also taking and receiving countless pictures and videos of them all. In the year 1994, on 9th Street in Chester, just a few doors away from his family home, there he met the love of his life, Gloria. It was then and there that a BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY began. His calm, cool and collected charm while riding up and down 9th Street, music blasting, in his big burgundy Cadillac, giving her the eye, eventually won her heart over!! After Rob and Gloria dated for about a year, they parted ways and only God knew that the best was yet to come. In 2015, after being separated for many years, their love for each other rekindled, and this second time around was forever. On October 20, 2018, Robert and Gloria were united in marriage. Six beautiful years of marriage, but thirty plus years of wonderful memories is what they’ve shared Rob’s biggest life pleasures, passions and joys are countless. For all who knew him, without a doubt, music, dancing at Chocolate City, dressing fly, boating, fishing, talking on his CB, martial arts, buying various trucks and cars, listening to his police scanner daily and spending quality time with his wife and love ones were the most enjoyable times of his life. Rob was a kind, laid back, friendly, family-oriented man, and had love for all animals. Let’s not forget some of his favorite foods, which includes fried chicken and fish, his sister-in-law Earnie’s collard greens, his niece Libby’s seafood salad and we definitely can’t forget that his sister Evelyn “cooks just like mom” as he would always say. Rob was a wonderful husband, very easy to please, a wonderful father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and a very good friend to those he loved. As long as his wife cooked his favorite dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner and answer his numerous phone calls each day (if she was away from home), he was happy and at peace! Rob is preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Robert Smith, Sr., and his son, Emein M. Smith. He leaves to cherish his memories; his wife, the love of his life, Gloria Smith. He is survived by his sons Robert Walker (Nikisha), Larry Floyd (Tawanna); daughter, Alysha Floyd (Quan); eight grandchildren, Emein Smith, Jr., Imani Walker, Emein Walker, Iyana Allen, Jaiya Crews, Neko Knox, Larry Floyd, Jr., LaRiyah Floyd; six siblings, three brothers Michael Murray (Angie), Vernon Smith, Tony Smith (Christle); three sisters Mezalinda Anding (Robert), Pearlene Fletcher, Evelyn Smith; brother-in-law William Floyd, Jr.; sisters-in-law Earnestine Bond, Rev. Dr. Mae Floyd; one aunt Louise Pollen; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special recognition is extended to his niece, Denise Lammons who was always there for her Uncle Junie. Also, special recognition is extended to two of his very close friends, Mike (his fishing partner) and Chris (his longtime family friend). Rob will be missed tremendously, by all who knew and loved him. Sadly Submitted, Your Wife, Gloria

Robert Smith Jr.

December 8, 1959 - December 31, 2024