In the summer of 1989, our beloved friend, Bobby Austin Lethco, was tragically killed in an automobile accident. He had just completed his freshman year at the University of Alabama majoring in Pre-Law with aspirations to attend Law School upon graduation. He had also pledged Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.

Like the others in our class who were taken from us much too early, Bobby was one of the nicest guys we will ever meet. He was kind to everyone, he loved everyone, and everyone loved him. We all should feel honored to call him our friend.

Bobby’s family initially established a scholarship at Huntsville High School in his memory, but later moved it to Mars Hill Bible School in Florence where the next generation of family attends.

Those of us who were fortunate to know Bobby well will never forget his twinkling eyes, his dimples (which seemed to always keep him out of trouble with his teachers and his peers), and that infectious smile that would light up a room. The following poem, written by a loving family member, describes that beautiful smile:

NOTHING BUT A SMILE

I SEARCHED FOR EVERY PICTURE OF YOU TAKEN OVER THE YEARS… AND AS I REMINISCED…
MY MEMORIES BROUGHT THE TEARS.
I GUESS THE SECRET OF YOUR CHARM
WAS THAT YOU WERE UNAWARE…
OF HOW MUCH YOUR PERSONALITY
MADE OTHER PEOPLE CARE.
WE NEEDED SUNLIGHT IN OUR LIVES
TO BRIGHTEN UP OUR DAYS…
SO GOD SENT YOU TO GIVE US LOVE
IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
YOU TREATED US WITH RESPECT
AND MADE OUR FEELINGS YOUR CONCERN…
THAT’S WHY WE COULD SO EASILY
GIVE OUR LOVE IN RETURN.
THERE ARE SO MANY QUALITIES
WE CAN ASSOCIATE WITH YOU…
BUT THE ONE WE WILL REMEMBER MOST
IS THAT SMILE WE ALL KNEW.
YOU LEFT A PRECIOUS LEGACY
WE NEVER WILL FORGET…
OF A SMILE SO CONTAGIOUS
IT TOUCHED EVERYONE YOU MET.
IT SEEMED THE WHOLE TOWN WAS IN MOURING
THE DAY WE HAD TO LET YOU GO…
THE CHURCH WAS FILLED WITH PEOPLE
WHO JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW.
IT WASN’T JUST YOUR FAMILY
WHO THOUGHT OF YOU WITH PRIDE…
YOUR FRIENDS ALL CAME TO SHOW THEIR LOVE
AND THEY BROKE DOWN AND CRIED.
IT’S STILL TOO FRESH IN OUR MINDS
OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH PAIN…
KNOWING WE CAN’T SEE YOU
OR BRING YOU BACK AGAIN.
PLEASE PRAY FOR US TO BE LIKE YOU
TO BE FORGIVING AND KIND…
SO ONE DAY WE CAN BE WITH YOU
WHEN WE LEAVE THIS WORLD BEHIND.
I KNOW WE ALL FEEL HONORED
THOUGH WE ONLY HAD YOU FOR A WHILE…
THE BOY WHO TUGGED AT ALL OUR HEARTS
WITH NOTHING BUT A SMILE.