By Josh Beavers
One particular thought comes to mind when people hear the name Robert Holloway. His smile.
“Smiley.” That was what Mr. Holloway was called. A grin always adorned his kind face. And that smile revealed what was in his heart.
“He was one of the best men I ever knew,” longtime friend Roger Grubbs told me of Mr. Holloway. “I never heard anyone say a bad word about him, and I never heard him say a bad word about anyone else.”
Sentiments such as those are being shared all over social media following Smiley’s recent passing. The celebration of his life makes us all aware how we can use the time we are given to make a positive impact on the lives around us.
In his more than 70 years of life, Smiley touched so many souls. He is remembered for more than his smile. He is remembered for his impact on young people.
Graduating from Minden High in 1968, Smiley went on to become a Northwestern State Demon, and following earning his degree, he moved into education – first as a coach and history teacher at Doyline and then on to Sibley/Lakeside. He taught. He coached. And in the last years of his time in the school house, he moved into the guidance counselor’s office. It was there where he was able to really assist young people as they used his words of wisdom, guidance, and heart to make those final and most important decisions before they left the halls as Warrior grads and out into the real world.
“He was dedicated to the kids,” said newly retired Lakeside guidance counselor Ann Holomon. She took over for Smiley upon his retirement. “He was just a kind man,” she said. “That’s what I know of him. His kindness.”
Following retirement, he went on to serve a term on the Webster Parish School Board, where he shaped policy to help children throughout the parish. He was a public servant through and through.
Longtime coaching legend David Kidd wanted me to include this tribute to his friend:
“Robert Holloway was not only a coaching colleague but a good friend. He and Butch Williams started the track program at Sibley High in the 80’s….a program that would go on to two state runner-up finishes and numerous district track and field championships in both boys and girls divisions. He loved all sports, but track and field was his love. He also coached a state runner-up in cross country. I never saw Robert get angry, but if he did he would defuse it with his trademark smile….hence his nickname, “Smiley”. He loved to eat, and prided himself on scouting new places around the state when he traveled to sporting events. He was a Southern Living food critic before Southern Living. His reviews of these gastronomical establishments were always right on. He was a man of integrity who lived life to the fullest. He was a Northwestern Demon, but this La Tech Bulldog will not hold that against him. He gave me memories of funny, sometimes hilarious moments.”
While he spent his days in the schoolhouse and out on the athletic fields, Smiley spent his evenings and Saturdays behind (and in front of) the camera.
For more than 20 years, he and his friend Mr. Grubbs filmed hundreds of Minden High sporting events. Beginning with Tide football games, they would branch out to film every sport for the Tide. Then on Saturday mornings, they would host a local cable sports program with highlights of the previous night’s games. They would interview the school’s coaches as the highlights played and comments were made about the good and what could be done better.
Their filming endeavor soon branched out to little league sports, and the two would spend three to four hours a night out at Babb Park filming games for broadcast.
“We did all that so people who were sick or just couldn’t make it out would be able to see the games,” Mr. Grubbs said.
Soon, they were filming Minden High graduations, beauty pageants, and other events all for the kids and parents. All for the memories to be shared and kept. Cherished for all time as all our days go by.
They filmed weddings. They filmed it all. If there was a moment of joy, Smiley and Grubbs were there to capture those memories for everyone.
“That’s who Smiley was,” Mr. Grubbs said.
And what about that name? What about Smiley? Where did such a kind nickname come from?
“Well, Smiley loved sports, but he just wasn’t that talented,” Mr. Grubbs said with a laugh. “He became a freshman and wanted to be involved so he became a distance runner for the track team.”
On the first day of practice, the coach had the distance runners strike out all the way to Caney Lake and back.
“That was a bit of ways,” Mr. Grubbs said. “And when they got back they were all laid out and about dying. The coach comes over and tells them how out of shape they were. Then he looks over at Robert and there’s this big grin on his face even though he was about to fall over. The coach said ‘look at ole Smiley over there. He’s doing ok’.”
And from then on, Robert Holloway was Smiley.
A smile goes a long way. People remember how you make them feel. That’s always been true and it always will. And Robert “Smiley” Holloway made a lot of people feel good.
And for that, he will always be remembered.
