Robert Alton Smothers

Obituary: Robert Alton Smothers, 86, of Gibsonville, formerly of Kannapolis passed away on Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 at Alamance Medical Center in Burlington. He was born September 12, 1924 in Jefferson, SC, the son of the late Thomas Bouldin Smothers and Clara Ellen Terry Smothers. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice Joplin Smothers in 2005 and a son Robert David Smothers. He retired from Cannon Mills Co. after 44 years. He was a combat veteran serving in the US Navy during WW II from 1944-46 aboard the USS Waldron in the South Pacific Theater. He was an avid gardener. He was a loving husband, father and especially loved his grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove, NC. The family will receive friends an hour prior at Whitley's Funeral Home in Kannapolis. He is survived by his daughter, Shirley (Glenn) Collins of Burlington, two grandchildren, Rebecca Collins of Atlanta, Ga. and Laura Collins Fauver of Durham, his brother Ernest Smothers of Jefferson, SC and his daughter-in-law Han Smothers of Alabama. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 10:00 to 10:30 Thursday December 23, 2010 at Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 11:00 AM Thursday Graveside West Lawn Memorial Park China Grove, NC

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park