Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Robert E. Rollins Sr. was born on August 4, 1931, in Cannelton WV and departed this life on August 1, 2024, at the age of 92.

Robert was baptized at an early age at First Baptist Church of Cannelton and the family moved to Powellton. At an early age, Robert left school to help take care of his siblings and assist his mother and father working at a laundry mat and the local hospital.

Robert enlisted in the Army and served his tour of duty in Alaska during the Korean War.

Robert, after military service, met his lovely wife, the late Doris Smith Rollins and they were married for over 60 years. Together they had six wonderful children. Robert became a member of First Baptist Church Powellton in January 1970 and became a trial deacon the same year. He was ordained a Deacon on July 5, 1970. Between 1973 and 1975, Robert was the Sunday School Superintendent, a Trustee of the church and served as a deacon for over fifty years.

Robert, after retiring started visiting nursing homes and gave out candy to the residents until the COVID pandemic stopped his visits. He could be seen greeting everyone he saw and always left them with a smile. He was affectionately known by many names due to his pleasing personality which included “Old Man Smiley”. You could always see him out and about driving around Montgomery and Smithers.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Doris D. Rollins; parents, Edward Delbert Rollins and Mary Jeannie Rollins and his siblings, Arthur Delbert Rollins, Thomas Rollins, and Reginald Rollins, and sisters, Katie Johnson and Minnie Davenport; granddaughter, Sharequwa Antwa Nette Rollins, daughter-in-law, Gloria Rollins, and son-in-law, Thomas Newkirk.

Robert his survived by his six children, Robert Rollins Jr., James Rollins (Jerri), Marlon Rollins, Valerie Taylor (Timothy), Angela Holmes and Drema Newkirk; grandchildren, Latausha Taylor, Yolanda Rollins, Bre’Onna Newkirk, Kianna Rollins, Ruebe Holmes, Shatia Holmes, ShaTusha Holmes, Faith Holmes, Angela Holmes, Timothy Taylor Jr, James C. Rollins, Ozell Holmes Jr, and De’Shon Holmes; three great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Brookside Ministeries Church of God 18419 Deepwater Road Mt. Carbon, WV with Rev William Isaac Kinney officiating. Burial will follow in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may visit with the family one-hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.