Bobby Carol Reynolds was born on June 28, 1942 in Covington County, Mississippi; to the late Riley Reynolds and Annie Ruth Ingram. At a very early age; Bobby’s Mother remarried and Bobby grew up being the son of Joseph Bernice Tew. This was the Father he knew and he was proud to call him “Daddy.” Most of his childhood was spent in the center of Saratoga, Mississippi; also known as Merry Hell. Bobby had two brothers: Billy Ray Reynolds and J.B. Tew; and he had one sister, Helen Tew-Sullivan. Bobby married Shelby Jean Williams in 1961 and became a Daddy for the first time in 1966 to a beautiful baby girl. Bobby and Shelby divorced and he later married Judith Woodard and the two of them had a son in 1971. Bobby and Judith later divorced and he and his son moved to Nashville, TN. Tennessee remained his home until June 2019 when his health began to decline. At which time he made Mississippi “home” again. In July 2020, Bobby’s health began to worsen and he made the decision to move into the VA Retirement Home in Kosciusko, MS. On the morning of Wednesday, October 14, 2020; Bobby left this world and went to his Heavenly Home.
Bobby was a retired Vietnam Veteran. He enlisted in the Army in 1966 and proudly served his country until he retired at Fort Lewis, Washington in 1986. Bobby became an amputee in 2015 and yet never chose to sit during the National Anthem. He loved his country. Bobby’s military expertise included 7 years & 3 months as a Unit Supply Specilist; and a Motor Transport Operator for 14 years & 9 months. He also completed military airlift command wing/division air load course and advanced NCO courses in unit supply specialty. Bobby received numerous recognition medals from the Department of Defense while serving his country; those included are the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm/Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Service Ribbons, 3 Overseas Service Ribbons, 4 Overseas Service Bars, 6 Army Good Conduct Medals, Expert Qualification Badge for M16, Army Commendation Medal, and 3 Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons.
Bobby enjoyed hunting and fishing. (He had lots of fishing stories to tell). He also enjoyed working with wood. He was a huge NASCAR fan; and those that knew him well knew he had an admiration for the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans. Bobby didn’t believe in taking medicine. However, he did believe that Wild Turkey 101 would cure anything. As he would say “You don’t have to drink it; just swish it around in your mouth, gargle with it; and spit it out. It’ll kill anything: even the Corono”, he recently told his niece as he tried to get her to bring him some. Bobby also loved to travel. He especially liked “surprising” friends and family members by just “showing up”. He never planned a visit. His motto was “I’ll be there when I get there and I’ll leave when I’m ready”. Bobby always said that when he left this world; he wanted his family members to take his ashes along with them as they traveled and leave a piece of him behind.
Of all the things that Bobby enjoyed; he enjoyed family the most. His love for his family was beyond measurable; even though he was very set in his ways and at times was doubtful; you just knew that he truly loved and cared for you. He could be stubborn and he would go the extra mile to “get the last word in” and over the last year; even on his worst days; he did just that.
Bobby was so happy to move back to Mississippi and be able to be near family. Of all the things he loved most, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were at the top of his list. He bragged constantly on his grandbabies and all of their achievements. The one thing he complained most about recently was due to COVID; he wasn’t getting to see and spend time with his great-grandchildren. They will forever be in his heart; and he will forever live in theirs.
Bobby is survived by his daughter, Margaret Johnson and her husband, Kelly Johnson; of Camden, MS, his son, Bobby Carl Reynolds, of Lavergne, TN, his granddaughters, Lacey McElroy (Ronnie) of Flora, MS, Brittney Bell (Nick) of Pearl, MS; his grandson, Kelly Johnson, Jr (Tabatha) of Florence, MS; his great-granddaughter, Anabelle Johnson, two great-grandsons, Parker McElroy and Brantley Johnson; his brother, J.B. Tew (Judy) of Mendenhall, MS; His step-father, Dempsie Allen of Mt. Olive, MS; step-sister, Linda Oglesby of Ocean Springs, MS; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and numerous friends.
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