Bobby Lee Fowlkes

Reidsville – Bobby Lee Fowlkes, 81, of 397 Irvin Farm Road, passed away on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at his home. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, October 31, 2010 at Wilkerson Funeral Home with Rev. Lyle Mulligan officiating. The interment will follow in Evergreen Memory Gardens with full military rites. Mr. Fowlkes was born in Rockingham County to the late Glenn and Lizzie Wheeler Fowlkes. He was of the Baptist faith and was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jack and William Fowlkes. Bobby was a proud twenty year veteran of the Navy. During his tenure, he served as a crew member of the USS Oriskany “Big O” and sailed around the world on the USS Long Beach. He retired a senior chief petty officer. After the Navy he held various jobs, his favorite being work with computers as an employee of IBM. Personally, he was remembered for his determination, love of family and generosity with his time and ability to “fix anything”. In later years Bobby was fond of relating stories of his life, displaying his gifts for humor and exaggeration. Anchors Away. Survivors include his wife, Jean Rand Fowlkes of the home; son, Robert Fowlkes of Gulfport, Miss.; daughters, Stacy Fowlkes and Kim Denny and husband, Gary all of Reidsville and Lori Griffin and husband Russell of Madison; grandsons, Kevin and Hayden Griffin; sister-in-laws, Arietta Fowlkes and Anne Fowlkes and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Saturday, October 30 at Wilkerson Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and other times at his home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 145550, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250 or a charity of donor’s choice..