FHS Reminiscing

FHS Reminiscing
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Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Kaye ‘63 on March 16, 2025, 10:37 am

John Allen Roby, FHS 1961, died early this morning. He had been fighting several health issues for a long time, but it rarely slowed him down in his efforts to support his hometown, his family, and his beloved Bearcat Family. I don’t know any details at this time. Please be in prayer for his family.

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Beth Chaney on March 21, 2025, 7:10 am, in reply to "Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

So sorry to hear about John Allen home going it was so good
to see him when he came to visit at our
last class reunion, sending love and prayers to his family & friends ❤️🙏🙏. Beth & Kenneth

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Panzey '62 on March 18, 2025, 4:10 pm, in reply to "Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

I'm so sorry to hear this. John Allen was a really sweet man. Prayers for his family.

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Lu Ann Gould’73 on March 18, 2025, 3:49 pm, in reply to "Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

Kaye you are so right about how much John loved his hometown, and his roots. He loved the yearly FHS get togethers and was so helpful in spreading the word. Mike and I had the pleasure of getting to speak at length with John at the Friday night supper at Foothills last year. He was such a personable man. He was truly a great person and we will miss him. Praying for Ann and his daughters.

OBIT: John Allen Roby

Posted by Kaye ‘63 on March 17, 2025, 11:11 am, in reply to "Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

On March 16th, 2025, John Allen Roby passed from life into death. John was born on March 15th, 1943, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and lived a life filled with love, kindness, and devotion to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Ann; his two daughters, Jana Roby Heimer (Bill), of Brandon; Catherine Roby Moore (Phillip) of Collinsville; two granddaughters, Anna Grace and Emma Heimer of Brandon; and brother, Doug Roby of Brandon. He is preceded in death by his parents, Allen Douglas Roby and Grace Cooper Roby, his sister, Dana Roby Moore, and nephew Allen Douglas Roby II.
John graduated from Forest High School in 1961, East Central Community College, and Mississippi State University, with a degree in poultry science. He went to work for his uncle in Connecticut where he met his wife Ann (Annelise). They were married on August 17, 1968. After living in the northeast for several years, he returned to his hometown of Forest where he worked in the chicken industry until his retirement. He was an avid golfer, and bled maroon and white. He was a member of the Forest Lions Club, serving as secretary and treasurer. He was a lifelong member of Forest Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and on the audio team. He happily served as a sideline chain gang operator then scoreboard operator at the Forest High School home football games for 35 years.
John enjoyed supporting his granddaughters in all of their activities. He was immensely proud of his daughters and granddaughters and their accomplishments. When he was able, he attended every Mississippi State game that happened to be in season. When he couldn’t attend, he was there in spirit through television. He didn’t meet a stranger and always had something funny to say.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 19 from 12:00-2:00 pm at Forest Baptist Church under the direction of OTT & LEE Funeral Home. The service will be held at Forest Baptist Church at 2:00. Interment will be at Eastern Cemetery
Pallbearers: Jimmy Atwood, James Graham, James Thompson, Larkin Vance, Gene Walker, and John Billy Winstead.
Honorary pallbearers: Carl Howard Fountain, R.J. Gatewood, Robert Newell, Milton Noblin and Forest Lions Club
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Forest Baptist Church Renovation Fund, 439 East 1st Street, Forest, MS, 39074
The family would like to thank the medical team at St. Dominic's, Beverly and Milton Noblin, Kristin Shelley, and Accent Home Health, and Dr. John Paul Lee.

PHOTO…John Allen

Posted by Kaye ‘63 on March 17, 2025, 2:18 pm, in reply to "OBIT: John Allen Roby"

Just had to share this photo of John Allen doing what he did best….being with friends. He was in the Class of ‘61…..but he enjoyed coming to all reunions. This is 1962 Class Reunion at the cabin of Doug and Janice Courtney. October, 2023. RIP, John.

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Sherry Pace Salazar on March 17, 2025, 7:10 am, in reply to "Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

A much loved FHS upper classman, will be missed. God bless his family🙏

Arrangements….John Allen Roby

Posted by Kaye ‘63 on March 16, 2025, 4:33 pm, in reply to "Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

John A. Roby
Visitation: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 from 12pm-2pm at Forest Baptist Church.

Service: Wednesday at 2pm Forest Baptist Church.

Full obit will follow soon.

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Kelly 62 on March 16, 2025, 11:20 am, in reply to "Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

John was a one of a kind inspirational leader in Forest. He was totally committed to his hometown ,family, growth, positive solutions, inclusion. John will be remembered as a role modal.

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Carleen’66 on March 17, 2025, 10:43 am, in reply to "Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

John was one of a kind. He loved his family, his church and his home town. He was so proud of his daughters, his granddaughters and of course his wife. I will miss the updates on what is going on in Forest. Prayers for Ann, Jana and Catherine and all the family.

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Robert '62 on March 16, 2025, 2:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

So sorry to hear. We rode horses together a lot - primarily with Jerry Cleveland - back in the day, and we kept them out at his place north of town. Lots of history here.

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by LAR on March 16, 2025, 11:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

So very sorry to hear this. He was a trumpet player in the band when I was in the 7th grade as I recall. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Tom Burns on March 17, 2025, 1:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

So sorry to hear about John Allen’s passing. John Allen lived on Broad Street a couple of houses down from me. His house and yard were a popular spot for all sorts of games when we were young. We played Rolly Polly, football, baseball, drop kick football and practiced our golf chipping. There was always something going on to be involved in. In our later years, we attended MSU games and the 120 Club together with Dink Gibson and Gene Walker. There was never a dull moment with John Allen in the car, because he could keep the conversation going, without any help. Since moving to North Carolina, John has been my connection to happenings in Forest and keeping up with the Bulldogs. Especially after the car accident and his recent fall, we’ve played phone tag trying to stay in the know. John was a great friend who will be sorely missed!!!

Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby

Posted by Norm '65 on March 19, 2025, 8:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Another Sad Day for Bearcats….John Roby"

My heart-felt condolences to the family. John was a hometown "hero" who made strangers welcomed and proud to have known him. A legacy and steadfast member of the community. I am proud to have known him.

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