Robert Bevie Coley, 74, departed this life in the waning hours of Monday, November 5, 2018 at North Miss. Medical Center. Born to pioneer Lee County families, Robert Arnold and Opal Dyer Coley on Feb. 29, l944 along with his twin brother, David Arnold “Bud” Coley, the family made their home in west Tupelo along the area around the Airport today known as Coley Road. Bob graduated from Tupelo High School in l962. He served honorably in the Mississippi National Guard for 13 years being honorably discharged after being federalized during Hurricane Camille. Bob’s working career included serving many years as a Lee County Constable and serving as a bail bondsman many years. His last 25 years was spent in the family trucking business, Bud Coley Trucking in Tupelo. A 32nd degree Mason and Shriner, Bob enjoyed westerns especially John Wayne movies, Bonanza and Gunsmoke. He enjoyed great conversation with family and friends, enjoyed people in general and certainly enjoyed good food and eating out. He was a longtime member of Harrisburg Baptist Church and the widower of Diana Coley, who died March 30, 2000. His last couple years were joyfully spent at Avon Lea where he made many friends.
A service, with military honors, will be held at 2 PM Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Rev. Robert McCoy and Rev. Tim Green officiating. Burial, with masonic honors, will follow in the Dyer/Coley family plot at Glenwood Cemetery in Tupelo. Visitation will be from 4 PM-7 PM today (Wed.) at Holland Funeral Directors and from 1 PM-service time on Thursday. For those who cannot attend, the service may be viewed via www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming at 2 PM Thursday and for 60 days thereafter.
Bob leaves behind his two sons; Ross Coley of Vicksburg and Frank “Brad” Coley of Tupelo; his twin brother, Bud Coley of Skyline; his sister, Mary Ellen Taylor and husband, Merrill of Kingwood, Texas. His special friend and caregiver, Sandra Martin of Saltillo-and her family. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Opal, his wife, Diana, his sister in law, Judy Coley, a nephew, Bubba Coley, and niece Jennifer Coley and a grandson, Bradyn Lee Coley.
Pallbearers will be Wade Hopkins, Jim Montgomery, John Hughes, Dale Walters, Bruce Underwood, Rob Taylor and Brian Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Warren, Pete Harris, Joe Kilgo, Leroy Carver, Tommy Brooks, Jeremy Martin, George Putnam, Rick Saunders, past and present employees of Coley Trucking and the Men’s Breakfast Table group at Avon Lea.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Boulevard, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.
