Bobby Charles Bookout

Bobby Charles Bookout was born in Violet Hill, Arkansas, on December 9, 1935, son of Claude and Nobia (Sellars) Bookout. He departed this life Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at his home in Wiseman, Arkansas, at the age of 78 years, 3 months and 10 days. Bob was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Balch on May 30, 1958, at Diaz, Arkansas. They met and married when they attended Southern Baptist College, now Williams Baptist College. He graduated from ASU with a BSE. Bob was a devoted husband for almost fifty-six years. He leaves to mourn his passing, wife Pat of the home; brother-in-law Granville Todd; several nieces, nephews, and many friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Jo Ella Todd. He served his country in the U.S. Army, taught school at Salem, Arkansas, involved in his community serving with the Violet Hill Cemetery Association, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Director, White River Area Agency on Aging, and a member of the New Franklin Masonic Lodge. Bob retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1997 where he had served as Vice President and photographer for the Arkansas Branch National League of Postmasters, serving on both State and National Committees. He was Postmaster of the year in 1989 and was honored by the Arkansas Branch at the 1999 State Convention for his many years of service. Bob had his priorities: faith, family, and friends. He loved singing and expressing his faith with his guitar and was a member of his church for over fifty years. Bob was a kind, good hearted man who never made negative comments about others and possessed the trait of being a good listener to all. He valued his family and friends and kept in touch over the years, sharing anecdotes everyone enjoyed. Bob especially enjoyed meeting a group of friends monthly to share music. He touched peoples lives in a positive way and will be remembered by many. No task or job was too large or small, he gave his all and tried to do what was right. There is an old saying " Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our heart, and we are never, ever the same". Bob was one of those people. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Arkansas, with Bro. John Hodges officiating. Interment will be in the Violet Hill Cemetery in Violet Hill, Arkansas, with services entrusted to Barker Funeral Home of Salem. Family will receive friends Saturday, 12 Noon until service time. Music by Marty and Jacky Sellars, Jason Fountain and Steve Butler. Pallbearers are Garry Williams, Greg Williams, John Powell, Ransom Pogue, Jerry Bookout, Rick Stripling, Dean Gleghorn and Donnie Bookout. Honorary pallbearers are Todd Stripling, Steve Butler, Tom McGarvey, Charles Hill, Jason Dobbins and Granville Todd. Caregivers were Tonia McGarvey, Anne Burrow, Rachel Hooker, Deana Mack and Joan Cochran. Memorials preferrred to the Violet Hill Cemetery, P.O. Box 22, Violet Hill, AR 72584.