Bobby Jowers McVay

1934 - 2024

Bobby Jowers McVay of Memphis, Tennessee went home peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 7 at Baptist Hospital, in Collierville, Tennessee surrounded by his family. He was born January 31,1934, in Germantown, Tennessee, a son of the late James Albert McVay and Emma Lucille Jowers McVay. He attended Tech High School and excelled as a defensive lineman on the school football team. He married his high school sweetheart, Nina Ruth Priest McVay on May 9, 1953. For over 71 years, the two of them have shared unwavering love and devotion to each other. In April 1954, he enlisted and served in the United States Army. He trained as a Radio Operator and was assigned to the 79th Engineering Battalion, Company B in Germany where he worked in the base motor pool. However, once the base commander found out he was a talented football player in high school, he was drafted for the Army base team and played offensive and defensive football for the rest of his military service. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Occupation Medal and many football team wins! After the Army, Bobby operated service stations and automotive repair shops located in Frayser, Union/Cooper, Walnut Grove, Canada Road/I40, Poplar Avenue, Monroe and Shelby Drive. Bobby was a Godly man, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, employer and friend. He was a long-time member of Bellevue Baptist Church. He enjoyed watching sports, especially football. He was an avid Memphis Tigers Football and Basketball fan, and a member of the Highland Hundred Club for many years. In his younger years he loved hunting and fishing with his older brother, Buddy and his son, Bobby, Jr.

Bobby is preceded in his death by his parents, James Albert McVay and Emma Lucille Jowers McVay, four brothers James Albert McVay, Jr., John William McVay, Virgil Eugene McVay (Buddy), and Albert Ray McVay, his grandson Ryan Keith McVay, and great-grandson Jacob Ryan McVay. He is survived by his wife Nina Ruth Priest McVay of Memphis and his son Bobby Jowers McVay, Jr. (Marie) of Eads, Tn. His grandsons Bobby James McVay (Barbee) of Bartlett and Joel Ray McVay (Sara) of Cameron, North Carolina. Bobby's legacy continues with his 6 great- grandchildren: Ryan James, Natalie Rose, Megan Kathleen, Cecelia Irene, Analise Savannah and Levi Ronald McVay.

The McVay family will receive family and friends, from 2:00 – 3:00pm Thursday, August 22 at Bellevue Baptist Church, Pollard Chapel, 2000 Appling Road, Cordova, TN. Services will follow at 3pm.

Memorial Contributions: Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or a charity of choice.