Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Smithey, Robert A. June 23, 1998
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Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com September 12, 2013, 9:46 pm

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - Friday, June 26, 1998 
Dr. Robert A. Smithey , a native of Norfolk and son of the late Philip and Lovey
Smithey, passed away June 23, 1998.

Dr. Smithey attended Norfolk Public Schools. After graduating from Booker T.
Washington High School, he attended Howard University and went on to earn a
bachelor of arts degree at DePaul University and a master of arts and doctor of
philosophy degrees at the University of Wisconsin. His area of specialization
was English with an emphasis in Shakespearean literature.

Dr. Smithey went on to a distinguished career as a college professor until his
retirement from the position of senior professor of English at Norfolk State
University in 1996. Prior to his tenure at Norfolk State University, he taught
English at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas, where he chaired the
Black Studies program. He also taught at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona
Beach, Fla., Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., Fisk University in
Nashville, Tenn., Alcorn A&M State University in Lorman, Miss., the University
of Missouri in Kansas City, Mo., Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Ala., and
Talladega University in Talladega, Ala.

Dr. Smithey authored scores of scholarly research papers and articles which were
published in the many professional trade publications and journals in his field.
Throughout his career, Dr. Smithey held membership in numerous professional
organizations and societies, including the prestigious Conference on College
Composition and Communications, the College Board in Princeton, N.J.

Dr. Smithey was a veteran of the armed forces, serving in the U.S. Air Force in
Japan. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Norfolk where he served as a
lay reader until his health forced him to step down. He was an avid patron of
the performing arts and a strong supporter of the Virginia Symphony and the
Harrison Opera House in Norfolk. Because of his expertise in Shakespearean
literature, Dr. Smithey's professional services were widely sought after and he
served as a consultant to the Shakespearean Theater here in Norfolk.

Dr. Smithey, until his death, had been the sole surviving member of his family,
his passing having been preceded by that of his parents; his sisters, Annie,
Emily and Georgia; and brothers, David, Woodrow and Philip. He is survived by
his beloved sisters-in-law, Mrs. Ethel Smithey Trunnell of Richmond, Calif., and
Mrs. Sallie J. Smithey of Silver Spring, Md.; nieces, Gratia L. Patterson and
June P. Liteau of Norfolk, Mildred Smithey Watkins and Brenda Smithey of
Richmond, Calif., the Honorable Anna L. Smithey of Bladensburg, Md., Phyllis N.
Smithey Esq. and Dr. Phillippa N. Smithey of Washington, D.C., Marian Smithey
Jefferson, R.N., of Omaha, Neb., Dr. Tracey E. Smithey of Tampa, Fla., and Dr.
Leslie Smithey Lane of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.; nephews, Dr. Philip D. Smithey of
Dallas, Texas, Thomas W. Smithey of Silver Spring; and a host of grandnieces,
grandnephews, friends and colleagues.

There will be a visitation period from 7 to 8 p.m. today in the Hale Funeral
Home, Norfolk. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in Grace Episcopal
Church, Norfolk, by Father Harold Cobb. Dr. Smithey's body will lie in repose at
the church between the hours of noon and 2 p.m. The family will assemble at the
home of Melvin Holloman, 984 Anna St., Norfolk. 

Additional Comments:
Calvary Cemetery

SMITHEY, ROBERT A I15512 Section OLD CALVARY, Block V, Space 28 0 06/22/1998

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