Robert “Bobby” Lawrence South, age 73, passed away March 13, 2016 at his home in Gloucester.
He was born in Newport News, Va. on Sept. 16, 1942 to the late Earl and Edna South and moved to Gloucester at age 7, where he lived the remainder of his life. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife Carolyn of 40 years; devoted daughter, Regina; dedicated son, Ben (Andrea); granddaughter, Ashlyn South; his brother, Bruce (Janet) and close friend all of his life, whom he dearly loved and faithfully helped through the difficult six years of his paralysis from spinal cord injury; cousin, Virginia Walker “Gin” who was and is closer than a sister to him and the family; sister-in-law, Ann Pryor (Malcolm); nephew, Ryan (Gabrielle); niece, Alicia; nephews, Matt South (Lindsay), Mark South (Shelby); great-nieces and nephew, Taylor, Blair, Madison and Hank.
Bobby began his 50-year farming career part-time with a David Bradley garden tractor. After high school he continued developing his farming operation with his great love of John Deere equipment. He loved the land, preserving it, enriching it and developing it, from which his interest expanded to sales for Hoffman Seed, and property management.
His life was also blessed by the people he met in his employment at Andrews and Hogg Funeral Homes, Bell Motors and Ken Houtz Chevrolet.
Bobby was an amazing man with endless energy, perfectionism, constant sense of humor and strong work ethic. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ and showed that love through his daily works. He loved helping others and especially the hurting child. He loved his family and always had us and our provisions on his mind even in his three and four job days.
Bobby was a member of the Gloucester High School graduating class of 1960 and was a member of Bellamy United Methodist Church. He was an avid NASCAR race fan, deer hunter, fisherman, wood-worker, and loved fellowshipping with his friends. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends who were privileged to love and be loved by him.
His wife extends deepest gratitude to Regina and Ben for their devoted and patient care to their father in his six years of illness. Also the family extends their deepest gratitude to Anne Meiggs, his kind and selfless helper who faithfully attended him in his most difficult years of paralysis and illness, not only providing loving care, but extending deep friendship and emotional support and selflessly making herself available to him and the family 24 hours a day whenever needed. And also, his special friend Jimmy Ball who helped him and the family empathically the last six years of his life. He also loved his other special helpers, Mercy Montgomery and Barbara Kellum. The family extends deep gratitude to Dr. John Maggioncalda, urologist, and his staff, who gave excellent medical help and so much hope in the very difficult last year of his life, and to the staff at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, for the special skills of the ICU unit there and at Riverside Regional, who all provided excellent care.
Funeral service conducted by the Rev. Kenneth Waclo will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Bellamy United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Bellamy Memorial Cemetery. The family greeted friends Wednesday, March 16, 2016 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Bellamy United Methodist Church.
In Bobby’s memory, donations may be made to Bellamy United Methodist Church, 4870 Chestnut Fork Road, Gloucester, Va. 23061; the family of Brielle Hicks, Chesapeake Bank, P.O. Box 1076, Gloucester, Va. 23061 or The Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adam’s Way, Randleman, N.C. 27317, phone number: 336-498-9055.
Arrangements by Hogg Funeral Home and Crematory, Gloucester Point. Family and friends may share memories and condolences at www.hoggfh.