Bobby Owens Elliott

Bobby was born in Ashland, Clay County, AL in 1936, to Ethridge Houston and Littie Jane Proctor Elliott. He was the third son of Ethridge and Littie. His father was a barber and his mother ran a café in Langdale, AL. Bobby loved to tell stories of the days he was a kid where he would spend his time shining shoes. He said he was the Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy like the old Red Foley song. He attended the LaFayetteLanier School in his youth and graduated from West Point High School in 1954. He played football for the legendary coach Carlton Lewis. In 1955, at the age of 19, Bobby enlisted in the army. He would serve three years on active duty and another three in the ready reserves as a Russian translator.

After getting out of the military, Bobby thought about reenlisting, but wanted to come home first. While back in Valley, he would meet the love of his life. While visiting family at the hospital, he would catch sight of a beautiful red-haired nurses’ aide. After dating for a while, Bobby wanted to propose and asked her what kind of ring she wanted. She told him she’d rather have a new stove to feed her family, so that’s what he did. Though later he would get her an engagement ring as well. Bobby and Marianne would go on to get married on July 2nd, 1959, in Langdale, AL. They were married for just shy of 62 years.

Bobby instantly became a father to three children when he married Marianne. Kathy, Danny and Karen meant the world to him. Shortly after moving to Waycross, GA for work, the army came looking for him. The Vietnam War was getting worse, and they wanted him back, however, upon seeing his new family, they didn’t make him return. He always said that his kids saved him from war.

In 1970, Bobby would meet his first grandchild, Kevin. From that moment, his life changed. He had already been a loving husband and devoted father for many years. Now, he was Dedaddy. He had two more grandchildren Bobby Wayne in 1973 and Katie in 1985. He always treasured the time spent with all three. Many years later, he would have five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Bobby would find his job in the mortgage and finance industries. This career would cause him and his family to move multiple times through the years. Bobby and Marianne eventually moved back to Valley, and after working for Great Western for the better part of 40 years, he retired in 1998.

Later in life Bobby became more involved in the church and community. This would lead him to starting a prayer group. Starting with him and four friends on the back porch of his house, Bobby’s Backyard Brotherhood would become a huge presence in the Valley area. They would help so many and the group grew exponentially through the years. He was also the adjutant of Post 67 of the American Legion for many years. He became a deacon and then would go on to become an ordained minister in 2009. He was the pastor at Langdale Congregational Christian Church where he would then step down towards the end of 2020 to care for his wife Marianne.

Bobby will always be remembered for his warmth and love. He always put his family and his faith in the forefront of his life. He always talked about how lucky he was in life. He would say that he had the privilege to serve his country and was blessed to serve his Lord. He was a mentor and friend to so many. He will be missed every day.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents Ethridge H. and Littie J. Elliott, two brothers Milford Elliott and Alvin Elliott, his wife Marianne Gillenwaters Elliott, a son Danny Hinkle, a son-in-law Chip Campbell. He is survived by one brother Charles (Jan) Elliott of Lanett, AL, two daughters Kathy Campbell (the late Chip Campbell) of Leeds, AL, Karen (Wayne) Poer of Vally, AL, daughter-in-law Beverly Hinkle (the late Danny Hinkle) of Cullman, AL, two grandsons Kevin (Jennifer) Campbell of Trussville, AL, Bobby (Mandy) Poer of Valley, AL, one granddaughter Katie (Corey) Bowens of Cullman, AL, five great-grandchildren Logan Poer, Jessica Campbell, Morgan (Jarrett) Groff, Anna Campbell, and John Bowens, three great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.

Services will be on Thursday July 18th, 2024, at the Johnson-Brown Funeral Home in Valley, AL. Family visitation is at noon, open visitation at one and services at two (eastern standard time). In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Bobby’s name to Langdale Community Church (formerly Langdale Congregational Christian Church) P.O. Box 155, Valley Al, 36854

Please visit Bobby's Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for his family, to share a memory of Bobby, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.

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