Bobby Joe Sterling (Chief Redhawk), age 75, of Arab, Alabama passed away on Tuesday night, May 9, 2023, at home. Bobby was born in Blountsville, Ala. on September 19, 1947, to Erlene and Noah Sterling.
Bobby served in the US Army and made his living building beautiful homes as a carpenter. He was very proud of his Native heritage and his family. Bobby never met a stranger, spoke to everyone he met. He might have tried to make a trade with you with one of his Cherokee Rocks, or maybe offer to take you snipe hunting, he always tried to make you smile. Bobby will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his oldest son Michael Ross Sterling Sr; brothers, James Sterling and Phillip Sterling; sister, Carolyn Riggins; and his parents.
Survivors are his wife of 33 years Brightstar Sterling; sister, Betty Ann Dudley (Justin Dudley); daughters, Regina Diana Harwell (Rickey Harwell deceased), Melinda Faye Ivey (Steve Ivey), Connie Leah Nickens (Jeremy Nickens), April Renea Bates; sons: Danny Joe Sterling (Chanda Sterling), Bobby Joe Sterling Jr.; stepsons, Mikey Lee Trussell (Yesenia Trussell), Bengie Scott Trussell ( Wendy Trussell); grandkids: Michael Ross Sterling Jr., Erica Renea Blackwell, Jessica Maria Barbee, Jennifer Lynn Kelley, Darian Jacon Sterling, Nicholas Blake Sterling, Shannon Wade Nickens, Emily Nicole Warren, Emma Renea Guffey, Tiffany Brooke Sterling, Jasmine Star Sterling, Nicholas Scott Trussell, Gabby Leann Trussell, Tyler Trussell, Nathanial Trussell and Ana Julissa; great grandkids: Lexus Sterling, Zoe Blackwell, Lucas Kelley, Ava Barbee, Draken Sterling, Jaylen Sterling, Carter Nickens, Krew Nickens, Walker Nickens and Parker Nickens; He had several loving nieces and nephews.
Viewing for Bobby will be Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel from 11 AM until 3 PM. There will be no service or burial to follow, there will be a Celebration of Life to be announced later.
Arrangements entrusted to Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel
