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Mr. Van Roosevelt Smith, 62, of Atmore (Freemanville) answered the master’s call on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at SAAD Hospice in Mobile.

A native of Greenville, Mr. Smith was reared in Brewton and was a 1975 graduate of Southern Normal School. Upon graduation, he attended Kentucky State University and Auburn University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in education.

He worked in education for over 30 years as a teacher/coach at Southern Normal, Baldwin Co., Georgiana, J. F. Shields School, Reid St. Technical College in Evergreen and Jeff Davis (now Coastal) Community College in Brewton. He worked at Wind Creek casino for nine years until his health began to fail. He was a member of Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church and enjoyed mentoring young minds, spending time with his family, fishing, traveling, watching sports, namely North Carolina Tar Heel basketball and SEC football. He also enjoyed listening to gospel music.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Clara Smith.

Those left to cherish his life and legacy are his devoted wife, Wilma Quarker Smith of Atmore; two daughters, Teresa Quarker Smith and Carlie Quarker Smith, both of Atmore; three brothers, Earnest Jack (Doris) Smith, William Roy (Gwen) Smith and James “Book” (Renee) Smith, all of Frankfort, Ky.; two grandsons, Carter Van Smith and William Lucas Smith, both of Atmore; two aunts, Carrie McCrovey and Eula Lyons both of Pensacola, Fla.; mother in law, Retha Quarker of Atmore; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in laws and friends.

A funeral service will be held this Sat., Nov. 23, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church, 1501 Atmosphere Rd., Atmore (Freemanville) with Pastor Edgar McCarthy officiating. Inhumation will be in the Pierce Rabb and Montgomery Cemetery.

Public walk-in viewing will be this Friday from 2-7 p.m. at the funeral home. His body will lie instate at the church one hour prior to the funeral service with Turner Funeral Chapel directing.