Bob Yancey was many things to many people. He was a adoring son, a caring brother, an ever-loving husband, a nurturing father, and the best grandfather his five grand-daughters could have ever dreamed of, and a friend to all that loved him.
He was born on October 25, 1945 to his parents George and Dorothy Yancey. Later, their family grew to include a younger brother and sister, Barry and Becky. The family resided in Indianapolis, IN. When he was 16 yrs. old his father passed away suddenly, rocking the foundation that Bob had built around himself. He relocated with his mother and two younger siblings to Paducah, KY; at which time he decided to enlist in the Air Force. While serving he met a young man by the name of Billy Nichols. One weekend Billy asked Bob to drive him home to Tupelo, MS; he had a date with his girlfriend. Bob agreed as long as he had a pretty girl on his arm too.
When they arrived at the house in East Tupelo, MS Billy’s little sister, Beverly answered the door in a pink chenille bath robe and rollers. Little did he know she would be the love of his life. They married on December 13, 1963 and had their first child Sheri in April, 1966 followed by their second Debbi in February, 1969.
Though Bob had his demons throughout his adult life, he always provided for his family, and never stopped worrying about his girls. As the children grew and began to have babies of their own, he was welcomed into “grand-fatherhood”; he never looked back. One by one he welcomed Sarah (1987), Lindsay (1991), Kristen (1993), Kelsey (1993), and Shannon (1999). He had always been an exceptional husband and father, but when it came to his grand-daughters he got a twinkle in his eye and couldn’t stop smiling.
Bob Yancey was a man with many God-given talents, one of those talents was taking care of those that he loved; it was his greatest gift. If ever there was something wrong, he could fix it. Whether it be a scraped knee or a broken heart, a fender-bender or something a little more serious; he never stopped taking care of those that he loved. His wife and family where the true loves of his life and he would have done anything to ensure their safety and happiness. A promise that he kept wholy until his last moments on Earth.
He may not be with us in person any longer. But ask any member of his family and they will tell you that he lives on through the morals, lessons, and dreams that he gave us all. His arms can still be felt as a safe harbor, his shoulders a place to cry, and his wisdom something to rely on.
As his oldest grand-daughter I got a special glimpse into his world on the many Saturdays spent at his antique stores, and countless days spent together. I once told him when I was very young that he was my prince charming; the same still remains true today. Though I have married and moved away from home he is still the first love of my life. His roles as husband, father and grandfather were the most important to him; but I think that if you were to ask us we would say it was the intricate and unique friendship he had with each of us that was the most important. I speak for my entire family, all of “Bob’s Girls” when I say that he was a wonderful man, the kind of man that no amount of words could ever describe. We love you Pawpaw and we miss you more each day.
Bob is survived by his wife, Beverly; his two daughters, Sheri Medley (Robert) and Debbi Felker (TJ); five grand-daughters, Sarah Bendel (Chance), Lindsay Bartlett, Kristen Butler, Kelsey Bartlett, and Shannon Felker; his brother Barry Yancey (MaryBeth) and his sister Becky Garnett (Danny); and four nieces and two nephews. (And his special little buddy, Rocky)
