Jonesboro- Robert "Bobby" Lane Puryear, 79, passed away Friday, January 6, 2023 at St. Bernards Medical Center.

He was born August 8, 1943 in Jonesboro to the late Robert E. and Frances Berkshire Puryear. Bobby attended Blessed Sacrament School and Jonesboro High School. He began college at Arkansas State University and graduated from Notre Dame. He owned and operated an insurance agency for many years. Bobby was a devoted member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He was dedicated volunteer for United Cerebral Palsy, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Rosary Guild, National Association of Health Underwriters, Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce and ASU Red Wolf Club. He loved tennis and enjoyed ASU sports activities. He helped a lot of people and didn't want any returns.

He was also preceded in death by his brother, David Puryear.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Runnels Puryear; children, Bryn DuBell (Steve) and Cheryl Smith (Scott) all of Rogers, Chris Puryear and Jeff Puryear (Shannon) all of Jonesboro and Chad Puryear (Aimee) of Germantown, TN; a bonus daughter, Elise McKinnon (Leonard) of Fayetteville; a sister, Mary Frances Gretel of West Palm Beach, FL; a brother, Fred Puryear (Kay) of Atlanta, GA; sixteen grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and other family.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Monsignor Scott Friend officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery under the directions of Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

Rosary will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church with visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Ron Blackburn, Gary Wells, Bill Clements, Donn Mixon, Joel Gambill, Lomer Turney, Stan McPike and Steve Hecht.  Those serving as honorary pallbearers are Chip Latourette, Warren Dupwe, Dick Brooks, Charles Rasberry, Fred Buhrmester, Sirath Nonis, Billy Roberts, Bill Eddington, Wes Eddington and the UCP Board of Directors.

Lasting memorials may be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Society or United Cerebral Palsy or Blessed Sacrament School or The Bob and Frances Puryear Physical Therapy Scholarship at ASU Foundation or The David Puryear Athletic Training Scholarship at ASU Foundation or charity of the donor's choice.

Online: www.greggfh.com