robert lee smitherman

Robert L. Smitherman, 49, of 2102 Ballinger died at 12:20 a.m. Tuesday at Hendrick Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Services are pending with North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange.

Born Feb. 28, 1929, in Kennard, he was reared in East Texas. Mr. Smitherman moved to Abilene in 1960 from East Texas, where he owned and operated Bob's Lawn and Tree Service. He was a mem- ber of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include his father, Robert Smitherman of 2102 Ballinger; two sisters, Rena Kight of 2325 S. 18th and Shermie Smitherman of 2102 Ballinger; and a brother, Gary of Cupertino, Calif.