Bobby Gene Quattlebaum

Bobby Gene Quattlebaum

(8/6/1947-12/30/2023)

Bobby Gene Quattlebaum, 76, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, went to be with the Lord, on December 30, 2023.  He was a true man’s man who loved the Lord, his family, his church, his country, his friends, John Wayne, and a great plate of brown beans, fried potatoes, cornbread, all cooked “the right way,” of course, along with a few slices of raw onion. Bobby was born to Bertie Coleman and Odie Lawson Quattlebaum “under the old Hickory tree” on their farm in Joy, Arkansas on August 6, 1947. He was the youngest of 5 boys who was unseated from his role as the baby by his fiery, red-headed twin sisters.  It was in this household that he learned how to tell a great tale.  There wasn’t a get together that didn’t involve some antics, humor at someone’s expense, and a whole lot of laughter.  Bobby was a student at Rose Bud Schools in Rose Bud, AR, where he met the love of his life, Miss Shirley Lee Hartsfield, when she was only in the sixth grade. After graduating in 1965 and completing training at Morrilton Vo-tech for heavy machinery operation, he decided that instead of being drafted, he wanted to serve his country in the Air Force, so he enlisted, following in the footsteps of his four older brothers. After basic training, he was sent to cook school in Fort Lee, Virginia where the pathway for the remainder of his life of cooking for others was pretty much set in stone.  He was later stationed in Clovis, New Mexico and San Antonio, Texas before being stationed in Udorn, Thailand.  While in Udorn, he bought a special gift for Shirley—a tape recorder for her to record and send voice recordings from home to Thailand.  Upon returning from Udorn, and one week after Shirley graduated from Rose Bud High School in 1968, Bobby and Shirley were married at Friendship Baptist Church in Hopewell, Arkansas.  One week later, they boarded an airplane with what few belongings they had and moved to Oahu, Hawaii where Bobby was stationed at Wheeler Air Force base and worked at Camp Smith Marine base at Pearl Harbor serving Admiral John McCain.  Before returning to Arkansas in 1970, they became a family of three when they welcomed a baby boy, Darrin Quattlebaum.  After serving for four years, the family moved to Searcy where Bobby took a job as a cook in the cafeteria at Harding College.  In 1973, the family moved into their first and only home just outside Searcy.  Shortly after, the family expanded to four, when their daughter, Lori, was born.  The family faithfully attended Center Hill Missionary Baptist Church where they made many lifelong friendships.  In 1982, Bobby was one of the charter members of Westview Missionary Baptist Church, where he faithfully attended, taught Sunday School, cooked many pots of chili, and served in any way he could until his health started declining around 2020.  In 1983, he fulfilled a lifelong dream and purchased a business from one of his cousins and Bobby’s Family Restaurant was open for business on West Race Street on the court square in downtown Searcy.  For 26 years, Bobby rose way before the sun so he could get the coffee started for the early risers at 5 am and whipped up huge batches of homemade biscuits and gravy six days a week.  He became a staple in the Searcy community and won many local awards such as Best Breakfast, Best Cup of Coffee, and Best Place for the Boys to Meet.  He served plate lunches, homemade hashbrowns, and pies with 4-inch meringue, alongside boatloads of life advice and political commentary.  In 2006, he finally decided to throw his own hat in the ring and ran for Justice of the Peace.  He won the election unopposed and served in this role on the White County Quorum Court for 8 consecutive terms before resigning in December 2023 due to his declining health. Shortly after becoming a grandfather, he decided that it was time to hang up his apron and retired in 2011.  In 2018, he and Shirley were surrounded by friends and family as they celebrated their 50^th Anniversary. The family would like to thank the medical professionals at Conway Regional Hospital for caring for Bobby.

Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Bertie Coleman Quattlebaum, his mother, Odie Lawson Quattlebaum, 3 brothers, Bueal Quattlebaum of Joy, QT Quattlebaum of Joy, and Clayton Quattlebaum of Burleson, Texas, his father-in-law, Charlie Hartsfield of Hopewell, two brothers-in-law, Junior Hartsfield of Greers Ferry and Buddy Havener of Joy, two sisters-in-law, Laverne Quattlebaum of Joy and Vera Quattlebaum of Jacksonville, and one step-granddaughter, Starla Tucker.  He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years and faithful caregiver, Shirley Lee Hartsfield Quattlebaum of Searcy, his son, Darrin Quattlebaum (Juanita) of Bald Knob, daughter, Lori Quattlebaum Dial (Bill) of Conway, one granddaughter, Addison Dial of Conway, one step-granddaughter, Brittany Tucker of Sioux City, Iowa, one brother, Johnny Lee Quattlebum (Linda) of Searcy, two sisters, Vita Havener of Joy, and Veta Lewis (Redus) of Searcy, two sisters-in-law, Lois Quattlebaum of Burleson, Texas, and Wilma Hartsfield of Greers Ferry, as well as 3 step-great grandchildren, numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and many, many friends who will miss him dearly.

Visitation will be held at Westview Missionary Baptist Church in Searcy on Friday, January 5, from 6-8pm. The funeral will be conducted on Saturday, January 6, at 10:00 am at Westview Missionary Baptist Church in Searcy.  Westview MBC is located at 3659 AR Highway 36 West, Searcy, AR 72143. Interment will follow in Mt. Hebron Cemetery at Joy. All funeral arrangements are entrusted to Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home in Searcy. Share A Memory: www.SearcyMcEuenFuneralHome.com