Robert Herring Smith

Robert Herring Smith, 71, of New Haven, MO, died of a heart attack at Mercy Hospital, Washington, MO, on January 6, 2025.

Robb was born in 1953 in St. Louis, MO, to George Robert Smith and Mary Evaline Herring Smith and moved to the New Haven area in 1968. Robb began his education in Parkway School District in Chesterfield and graduated from Washington High School in 1971. While in high school, he met Cathy Janine Mellen and the two married on June 16, 1973.

Robb came to faith in Christ in 1971, at the age of 18, and felt called to pursue a life in ministry. He completed a BA in Sacred Literature at St. Louis Christian College in 1975 and  was ordained as a minister of the Christian Church in 1978. Robb completed a Master's degree in New Testament and Biblical Languages from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1983. He served as pastor of Oak Ridge Christian Church in Tupelo, MS, and as professor of Greek and New Testament at Mid-South Christian College in Senatobia, MS. Robb  later served as Associate Pastor of First Christian Church, Washington, MO. He also served as a police chaplain with the Washington Police Department during this time. 

Robb became a journeyman carpenter and worked for many different construction companies in the Washington and St. Louis areas. He also worked as an independent general contractor, did much of the construction work for the house and buildings on the family farm, and made caskets and cabinetry. He loved doing woodworking projects, often making gifts for his family. Robb also contracted with the military to do construction work in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sudan and volunteered with Samaritan's Purse to help with the rebuilding efforts in Japan after the 2011 tsunami. 

Robb had a lifelong love of learning and reading. He had a gift for languages, reading his Bible in Greek and Hebrew. He cultivated acquaintance with those from other cultures and learned their languages. Robb was also an excellent instructor, teaching his children during their home school education, tutoring grandchildren and family friends, as well as teaching and training in local churches. He also taught many young men carpentry and woodworking skills. Robb and Cathy were some of the first to begin home schooling in Missouri, and were always intentional and involved with instructing their children and grandchildren. They were also part of the home church movement, helping to lead a church group that frequently met in their home.

Robb will be remembered for his storytelling ability, his love for good craftsmanship and tools, his incredible memory, and above all, for the way that his faith led him to train and equip those around him. We will all remember with fondness his many quirky turns of phrase and the abundance of things that he taught each of us. 

Robb was preceded in death by his father, George R. Smith, his mother, Mary Evaline Herring Smith, and his stepmother, Carolyn Rainbolt Smith. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cathy Janine Mellen Smith, and 6 children, Charity Anne Stone and husband Brad Stone of St. Louis, Charissa Beth Coyle and husband Joseph Coyle of New Haven, Carrie Lynne Misener and husband Chester Misener of Rosebud, Candice Joy Hunt and husband Joel Hunt of Crocker, Caileigh Jane Holz and husband Matthew Holz of Washington, and Richmond Davis Smith and wife Caitlyn Smith of New Haven. Robb is also survived by his 27 grandchildren, Clara ‘Vespertine’ Stone, Hadassah ‘Doss’ Stone, Nehemiah ‘Amethyist Rain’ Stone, Benaiah Stone, Ìliyah Stone, Noah Stone, Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Stone, Jedediah ‘Jed’ Stone, Ernesto ‘Ché’ Stone, Aster Coyle, William Tell Misener, Mary Elizabeth Misener, Anne Evangeline Misener, Arthur Warren Misener, Walter Karl Misener, Alfred John Misener, Greta Hunt, Lucy Hunt, Meredith Hunt, Katherine Hunt, Harvey Hunt, Atticus Hunt, Travis Smith, Virginia Smith, Raleigh Smith, Wyatt Smith, and Carson Smith. 

Services will be held at Faith Baptist Church, Washington, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, with a viewing from 12 pm to 2 pm, and the funeral following. Interment will be at Cedarwinds Cemetery, on the family farm in New Haven, MO.

Memorial donations may be given to Samaritan's Purse.