Robby was born August 11, 1913 in Seonoraville, GA the second oldest of seven children. The family lived through the Great Depression working mostly on a farm and a tannery but took work anywhere it was available.
At the age of 23, Robby married Mozelle Maxwell of Rome, GA and started his life in business there working at Macks Department Store and later Gulf Life Insurance. One year later, a daughter, Dolores was born.
In 1942, he moved to Fort McClellan, AL working in the payroll department of the Air Engineer Department. He later returned to Rome working in all areas of retail, becoming manager of the shoe department of Dan Cohen Co.
After the death of his wife, Mozelle, he married Faye Dean who was a dietician at Berry College. At this time he had been transferred to Tuscaloosa, AL, where their son Michael was born in 1953.
Once again Robby returned to GA working at Smith Shoes located on the square in Decatur. In March of 1956, W.S. Smith opened a new store on Main Street in Tucker, GA which Robby successfully managed for 24 years until his retirement.
Robby was active in Tucker civic activities including being the Treasurer of the Tucker Business Association and served as Chaplin of the Lions Club, he also was involved in fundraising by selling brooms and mops door to door.
After retiring in 1980, to Lilburn, GA he is in good health and remains very active and independent – he drives, eats out, attends church regularly, does his own laundry and grocery shopping among other miscellaneous chores.
Robby reads everyday, keeping abreast of all current events including sports, business and politics. He also surfs the internet mostly hunting his favorite gospel music and looking up friends and acquaintances.
Robby has a remarkable memory of places, dates, events and the people involved. He loves to be around people telling them of past experiences in his life. Everyone who knows or hears about him, call him amazing, and he gives all the credit to God.
One may debate Robby’s longevity, whether it’s genetic, being his mother lived to the ripe old age of 106 or the fact he used to eat an apple a day, but be that as it may we are glad he’s here.
