Bobby Gean Rea passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 16, 2023 with family by his side at his farm in Walker County, Alabama.
Born on April 9, 1929 in Nauvoo, AL, he recently celebrated his 94th birthday. He was predeceased in death by his father and mother, John Audie Rea and Esther Cheatham Rea, his infant daughter, Anita Carol and his son, David Alan Rea.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Rachel Ingleright Rea, his son, Audie Gean Rea (Betty Ann) of Nauvoo and six grandchildren, Lauren Rea Jones (Wes) of Oxford, MS, John Talbert Rea (Jessica) of Athens, AL, Christopher Lee Rea (Meredith) of Melbourne, FL, Rhiannon Rea Bryant of Austin, TX, LaShae Rea McBride of Hazelgreen, AL and Kristen Rea of Chapel Hill, NC. He was also the proud great-grandfather to nine great-grandchildren.
Bobby Rea was educated from his 8th grade year to his junior year of high school at Columbia Military Academy in Columbia, TN. He came home to Walker County for his senior year and graduated from Carbon Hill High School.
He served his country in the United States Army and was on active duty during the Korean War.
Mr. Rea spent his young adult life employed by Western Union as a technician. His career took him to Atlanta, GA, Panama City, FL and then Columbus, MS. Finally in 1973 he came home again to Walker County, AL to the family farm and spent the next 50 years cattle farming.
He was a past member of the Alabama Cattleman’s Association. Bobby enjoyed coaching his young sons in Dixie Youth Baseball in the Columbus, MS area. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Collins-Burke Funeral Home in Jasper, AL with graveside services immediately following at Ashbank Cemetery in Nauvoo, AL.
Pallbearers will be John Talbert Rea, Christopher Lee Rea, William Wesley Jones, Larry Wideman, Daniel Hogue and Michael McBride.
Officiating the service will be his cousin, Pastor David Farris.
The family would like to thank Southeast Hospice and also Sue Brewer for their kindness, care and expertise.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association.
