Bobby Ray Hysmith, 89, passed away Monday evening, Sept. 29, 2025 at Henderson Healthcare. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Shackelford Funeral Directors - Crook Avenue Chapel with Randy Hysmith, Tony Hysmith and four grandsons officiating. Burial will follow at Chester County Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m. Thursday. Memorials may be made to Freed-Hardeman University’s Mid-South Youth Camp, 158 East Main Street, Henderson, TN 38340, or the university’s athletic department.
He was born Feb. 20, 1936, in McNairy County, the son of the late Daniel Tommy and Luna Mae Wardlow Hysmith. His family sharecropped in the Estes community of Chester County during his childhood. He attended Chester County schools and married Lurlene Carroll, July 3rd, 1955.
He worked as a milk delivery boy and in various groceries in Henderson. He began his career with Wonder Bread company in August 1956 as a delivery man in the Alamo area before taking the delivery route in Chester County, south Madison and part of McNairy counties. He advanced in management and served as branch supervisor in Haiti, Mo., followed by Dyersburg, Jackson and Mayfield, Ky., where he expanded the sales of Wonder Bread and Hostess Cakes in each market. He served as Regional Thrift Store supervisor for the Memphis Bakery. Bobby and Lurlene moved to Stone Mountain, Ga., where he opened thrift stores in the Atlanta area. They later moved to Chattanooga where he started route delivery of Hostess Cakes in the Chattanooga and Knoxville areas. Afterward, they returned to Henderson, and he served as Regional Sales Supervisor covering west Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, Missouri, western Kentucky, northern Alabama and Mississippi. He was inducted to the Continental Baking Company’s prestigious Number One Club in 1981 and enjoyed many trips across the states for annual gatherings. At his retirement dinner in 1999, he was saluted for 43 years of accident-free driving and was recognized for his emphasis on safety and customer service.
After retiring, they enjoyed traveling to Branson, Mo., and Pigeon Forge multiple times a year.
Bobby began his “second” career with Casey Funeral Home as a funeral assistant in 2002. He enjoyed 23 years working with Shackelford Funeral Directors-Casey Chapel.
He served two terms as a Chester County commissioner. He was elected by his fellow commissioners to serve as chairman Pro Tem. He was a member of the Chester County Lions Club, served as King Lion and was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. He served on the walking horse show committee for several years. He served on the Board of Directors of Chester County Bank, served on the Board of Directors of Quinco Mental Health, where he also acted as chairman of the board for a period of time. He served on the Southwest Tennessee Area Council for the Aging and had served as board chairman. He served as a member of the inaugural Freed-Hardeman University President’s Advancement Council
Bobby served in the Tennessee National Guard for 12 years where he received the rank of Sergeant First Class. He and Lurlene were active members of the church of Christ wherever they lived, and he had served as a deacon at three congregations. During their semi-retirement years, they enjoyed following their four grandsons around the country supporting them in various activities.
He was a survivor of the deadly EF-4 tornado of 1952 in Henderson. His family’s home was destroyed in the tornado, scattering his family over a several block area near Sixth Street in Henderson. He spearheaded an effort in 2019 to establish a monument on the courthouse lawn to honor the 23 lives that were lost that Friday night, March 21, 1952.
He is survived by two sons, Randy (Angelia) Hysmith of Jackson and Tony (Rebecca) Hysmith of Henderson; grandsons, Nathan (Laura) and Joel (Lindsey) Hysmith of the Nashville area and their families and Ross and Ryan (Abby) Hysmith and family all of Henderson; 12 great-grandchildren, Brody, Wyatt, Nolan, Shepard, McCoy, Peter, James, Foster, Hoyt, Harper, Henry and Hazel; a brother, Larry Hysmith of Henderson ; one sister, Tommie Jean Faulkner, of Henderson; and 13 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by his wife of 63 years in January 2018.
