James Robert “Bob” Carruth, age 79, of Turtletown, went to meet the Lord Wednesday, May 19, 2021.
He was born December 27, 1941, to the late Ernest and Mae Carruth.
Bob will always be remembered for his tall tales, wine making and love of conversation with any passersby. Never meeting a stranger, he enjoyed embellishing the truth at any opportunity, and he welcomed all to his front porch with a smile and an offer of coffee.
He loved hunting anything from deer to seasonal ramps and has taught many young men in the area how to shoot a hog or scope out a turkey. Bob worked for the Tennessee Chemical Company and Tennessee Valley Authority making countless friends with anyone willing to laugh at their own expense (he was quite the prankster). He was an honest, humble man always willing to lend a hand and make any situation lighter with his wit and fascinating “Bobisms.”
He had trademark over-alls filled with treasures in all the pockets to please anyone from age one to 100. He was generous and forgetful of anyone owing him anything. He was endlessly patient with his grandchildren and took great delight in fabricating fairy-tales and teaching them the pleasure of snipe hunting. Bob enjoyed life. He enjoyed just “being” and knew how to appreciate all the beauty life gave him. He will be missed.
Bob was preceded in death by his son, Dwaine Payne; sister, Rosella Carruth; and brother, Leonard Carruth.
He is survived by his loving wife, June Kathleen Carruth; children, Sonya (Dennis) Talley, Angela “Tub” Blalock, Judy Carruth (Kevin Zitzow) and Stephanie Foster; sisters, Pat Cox, Kay (Ernie) Rymer, Ruth (Dan) Williams and Jan Martin; grandchildren, Ashley (Josh) Falls, Cota (Kayla) Talley, Jacob (Ansley) Waters, Lindsay (Tim) Allison, Tim Talley, Drew (Sarah) Payne, Mallory (Eric) Sisson, Millie Foster and Ally Foster; and great-grandchildren, Carson, Cannon, Caleb, Will, Ada, Emmett, Raegan, Ripkin, Carter and Elsa.
Graveside Services were conducted Saturday, May 22, at 2 p.m. from the Liberty Cemetery with Rev. Rennie Whittenbarger officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Cota Talley, Tim Talley, Drew Payne, Jacob Waters, Carson Rehagen, Cannon Rehagen and Caleb Rehagen. Honorary pallbearers were Charles Nicholson, Billy Dean Ledford, Eddy Loudermilk, Dan Williams, Rex Hall, Luke Hall, Dennis Talley, Kevin Zitzow and Doug Yarns.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com.
Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill was in charge of the arrangements.