Mr. Bobby Joe Smith, age 76 of Centre, passed away Monday, March 10,
2025 at his residence.
Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Friday, March 14, 2025 at Centre First Baptist
Church (The ROC) with Rev. Melvyn Salter and Pastor Keith Day officiating. Burial with
First Responder honors will follow in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Leesburg. The family
will be receiving friends Friday from 1PM until the hour of service at the church.
Survivors include his wife, Rebecca “Becky” Smith; Son, Timothy A. Smith; Daughter
Christa S. (Trent) Patton; Grandchildren Bryson Patton, Ross Smith, Madison Smith,
and Brea Patton; Brother Danny (Cindy) Smith; Several nieces and nephews
Pallbearers include his family and members of the Cherokee County Rescue Squad.
Honorary Pallbearers include: Tommy Oliver, Archie Richerson, Barry Cochran, Johnny
Roberts, Mike Ward, Tommy Chambers, Jimmy Tillery, Ken Teal, and Doug Machliet
Mr. Smith was a native of Dekalb County, Alabama the son of the late Irby E. and
Pauline (Jo) W. Smith and was preceded in death by his son, Cody E. Smith.
Bobby Joe dedicated his life to the service of his community. He was an owner of
Smith’s Auto Service for over 40 years, providing automotive services to the community
of Cherokee County and also operated Smith’s Trucking, hauling classic cars all over
the United States, including one for Keith Urban. He was a member of the Cherokee
County Rescue Squad, with over 52 years of total service. He served as an Officer,
First Lieutenant, and served as a Trustee on the Board of Directors for over 40 years.
Bobby held certifications as a Rescue Diver, Search and Rescue, High Angle Rescue,
Cave Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, and an Auto Extrication Technician.
His accomplishments included numerous Rescuer of the Year awards on multiple
occasions locally as well as being awarded Rescuer of the Year by the Alabama
Association of Rescue Squads.
He was an avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide,
attending numerous season games and traveling with the team for National
Championship Games. He was the President/Medic for 19 years with Cherokee
Emergency Medical Services. Bobby Joe also had a love for children and was always
excited to go to speak to local schools, Boy Scout groups, and other events to
demonstrate Rescue Equipment and to instill in them the importance of community
service.
In summary, Bobby Joe defined being a public servant.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cherokee
County Rescue Squad, PO Box 485, Centre, AL 35960 or the Cedar Hill United
Methodist Church.
Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
www.cherokeememorialfuneralhome.com
