Obrey Washington Smith Obituary (1935 - 2021)

Service is pending PLEASE BE ADVISED Under all circumstances, face masks or face coverings are required and mandatory to enter King-Tears Mortuary, Inc. Your temperature will be taken upon entering King-Tears Mortuary. The number of people allowed in King-Tears Mortuary will depend on the CDC guidelines at the time of the service. Please read information posted here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/funeral-guidance.html THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING Obrey Washington Smith was born to Walter M. Smith, Sr. and Laura Ann Davis on January 20, 1935 in Bastrop, Texas. Obrey was affectionately known as "Wash" to all of his family and friends. Obrey received his education from the Austin Independent School District and graduated from the "old" L.C. Anderson High School, he attended Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas on a football scholarship, he was the first in his family to attend TSU, he left TSU after three years to join the United States Air Force where he served for two years and received an honorable discharge for his service. Obrey was employed by Yellow Freight Trucking and was the first African American to work there, he retired after 20 years of service. In 1961, Obrey married Annie Florence Hobbs Robinson and to that union a son was born Cornelius Smith. Obrey accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a faithful member of the St. Peter's United Methodist Church. On April 11, 2021 Obrey was called home to glory. Obrey was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Smith, Sr. and Laura Ann Davis, brother Walter Smith Jr., and former wife and friend Florence Smith may they rest in peace. Beloved by many, he will truly be missed by his family and friends. He leaves to cherish his memory his spouse Kay Spencer; son Cornelius Smith of Austin, Texas; stepdaughter, Glenda "Susie" Crooks of Arlington, Texas, stepsons Gary Robinson and Richard Robinson, Jr. of Austin, Texas; stepdaughter Jennifer Williams; 13 grandchildren: Vershae Smith, Breanna Smith, Jenevieve Flores, Robyn Robinson, Angelica Crooks, Kavesha Robinson, Channing Robinson, Erica Lofton (Daniel), Richard Robinson, III (Gwendolyn), Julian McKinley, Lecretia Robinson, and Ashley Robinson; 7 great-grandchildren: Zaharrah Thompson, Zemarian Thompson, Kaila Mills, Jovan Mills, Floretta Mills, Isaiah Beckford, and Olivia Beckford; a sister Lois M. Smith Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.