James Robert "Bobby" Smith

Lifelong Morgan County resident, James Robert Smith, better known as "Bobby", died at the age of 68 on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, at 2:59 PM at the Franciscan Health Hospital in Indianapolis with loved ones by his side. He was one of fifteen children born to the late William A. "Pete" and Mary Ruth (Brown) Smith. Bobby was born on Sunday, December 16th, 1956, in Martinsville, Indiana. At the age of seventeen, he joined the Laborers' Union Local #120 where he worked tirelessly for the following thirty years. During his tenure with the union, he worked as a hod carrier, concrete finisher, demolitionist and eventually a supervisor. In the mid to late 1990's, he served as President of the Local #120 Retirees. After retiring from the Laborers' Union, Bobby gained employment with the Monrovia School District working as a groundskeeper for approximately three years. Though he struggled with failing health for the past few years, Bobby remained optimistic, jovial and he thoroughly enjoyed life. He had many hobbies and interests including gardening, fishing, mushroom hunting, pitching horseshoes, watching sports, more specifically his favorite teams, IU Basketball and Football, the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and old Western movies and tv shows. Bobby loved music, dancing and tractors and was quite fond of "The Lord's Lettuce". In recent years, one of his favorite pastimes was sitting on his back porch feeding the squirrels and the birds and taking in the beauty of nature. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends including his wife of twenty-three years, Stacey Smith of Monrovia, IN; two sons, Robert Shane (Angie) Suter and Jack Daniel (Sydney) Rose both of Martinsville, IN; two daughters, Chastity Jane (Jon II) Drennan and Bobbi Jo (Dustin) Young both of Martinsville, IN; stepson, Cody Dutton of Oklahoma; stepdaughter, Heather Dutton of Nevada; four brothers, Raymond (Kathy) Smith of Bloomfield, IN, Wayman Smith and Dwight (Roxanne) Smith both of Martinsville, IN, and Roger (Terri) Smith of Eminence, IN; eight sisters, Tiny Smith, Ruby Burton, Tammy Tucker and Sheila Smith all of Martinsville, IN, Mary Galloway of Greenwood, IN, Linda (Laddie) Moore of Bloomfield, Maxine (Rett) Rundell of Florida and Blanche (Gomer) Lanham of Monrovia, IN; fourteen grandchildren; two step grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren. Along with his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by two brothers, William "Butch" Smith and John Richard Smith; and one great granddaughter. Family and friends are invited to visit on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Neal & Summers Funeral Home in Martinsville. A service celebrating Bobby's life and legacy will begin immediately following the visitation at 5:00 PM and he will be cremated following the service. Memories and condolences are encouraged to be shared with the family online at www.nealandsummers.com