Bobby Ray Christian, 86, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at his home in the Ballardsville Community after an extended illness. He was born July 30, 1939, in Itawamba County, to Roger and Letra Hoard Christian. He was a longtime member of Ballardsville Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. He worked for 39 Years at Rockwell (Delta International), where he ran the paint machines. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his true love was working on old tractors and lawn mowers.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at the Ballardsville Baptist Church with Bro. Marty Comer and Bro. Frank Panzrino officiating. Burial will be in the Ballardsville Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Fulton is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Shelby Jean Christian; one son, Steve Christian (Susan), all of Ballardsville; one daughter, Tanya Christian of Mooreville; two sisters, Elizabeth Loague of Dorsey and Sue Bryant (Jim) of Red Bay, AL; four grandchildren, Casey Christian, Andrew Christian, Tyler Dickerson, and Elizabeth Taylor; five great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers will be Casey Christian, Andrew Christian, Tyler Dickerson, Rick Baldwin, Roger Loague, Mike McCuller, and Ricky Boyd.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Fulton, and on Thursday from noon until service time at the Ballardsville Baptist Church.
