Robert "Sonny" Kenneth Smith, age 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 21, 2019 at Asbury Hospice House in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was born on November 6, 1939 in Brookhaven, Mississippi to Wilmer and Mattie Smith. Sonny grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana where he attended Fair Park high school. During his high school years, he loved music and enjoyed participating in amateur drag racing during his spare time. Sonny went on to be a mechanic and the father of two children. Throughout his life, Sonny's love for music continued. He would pick his guitar and sing every weekend to whoever would listen. He loved gospel hymnals as well as ole country songs, a little Johnny, Merle, and Waylon. He was given the opportunity to share his love for music when he performed at the Old Cali Burger in Shreveport with his trio as well as performing for the Tylertown Mississippi Beauty Pageant. Sonny also continued with his love for racing cars, he raced from the early 60's to the late 80's and was named the ten times national racing champion. He was known as a champion dirt track, stock car, and super modified race car driver and had many accolades in dirt track racing. Because of his talent and experience as a state wide championship driver, he was invited to try out for the NASCAR touring series, a league of short track races that groom future talent. Sonny Smith's legacy lives on today with many, young and old. He is still known as one of the greatest local race car drivers of all time. On July 2, 1984, Sonny married Cherry Smith and became the loving step father to her two daughters. He enjoyed talking and visiting with family and friends. He was a car buff and enjoyed working on them in his younger years. He took pleasure in later years wiping and cleaning his vehicles. Left to honor and remember him are Sonny's two children; Rhonda (Smith) Bailiff (Lane Bailiff) and Robert Smith Jr; Step daughter; Sabrina Raborn (Joey Raborn); ten grandchildren; Cody Bailiff, Grayson Bailiff, Shay Bailiff (Hannah Bailiff), Madeline Bailiff, Christian Bailiff, Trey Smith, Peyton Smith, Caleb Smith, Kayley Coleman, and Joshua Raborn; great-grandchild: Elle Bailiff; four siblings, brother Jimmy Smith (Carol Smith), and sisters, Doris Pledger, Ouida Giddings (Doyle Giddings), and Patsy Woodall; and numerous nieces and nephews. Sonny was preceded in death by his father, Wilmer Smith, his Mother Mattie Smith, his wife Cherry Smith, and his step daughter, Cory Trevino. Sonny will be remembered as a hard worker who loved to have fun and brought joy to his friends and family with his bright personality and sense of humor. A memorial service will be held on Feburary, 16, 2019 at 11:00am at Aulds Funeral Home, 7849 East Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA. A very special thanks to Heather Boyd for her unconditional love and care for our precious father, grandfather and brother. We consider Heather a part of our family.