Bob Gerald Grisham

Bobby "Daddy Bob" Gerald Grisham, 87, of Black Oak, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2024. He was born on May 29, 1937, outside of Leachville, Arkansas, to B. A. and Nola Grisham.
Bob was a lifelong resident of Black Oak, Arkansas. He was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Grisham Farms, Incorporated, from 1955 to 2024. He served as CEO alongside the primary advisor to Grisham Farms, Inc., Shirley Lloyd Grisham, with whom he shared 63 wonderful years of marriage until her passing on May 8, 2018. Bob and Shirley married as teenagers in Leachville, Arkansas, in 1955. Shortly thereafter, Bob went north to the Ford Factory in Flint, Michigan. He sent money back to her, which she saved, and in 1964 and 2023, they purchased their first and last acreages, respectively, as owners and operators of Grisham Farms, Incorporated. In late 2019, Bob found companionship and new love with his partner, Donna Towles of Manila, who brought joy, comfort, stability, and renewed purpose to his life. Bob often said, "It is rare for a man to be blessed with a woman like Shirley, and I, for the life of me, cannot figure out what I did right, because the Good Lord blessed me with Donna too."
Bob was an avid fisherman, enjoyed antique car auctions and traveling, being solely in charge, and cotton farming. Most importantly, he was persistent in his endeavor to provide for his family and those in need, which he commonly noted as among his greatest sources of joy and purpose. This included, but was not limited to, providing educations and homes for his grandchildren, nieces, and countless others. Bob was a devoted Christian and a member of Black Oak Baptist Church for over 50 years, demonstrated by numerous unknown charitable contributions to those in need. His brash and brazen exterior was merely a front for his gentle, soft-spoken, and sometimes uncertain personality, all revealed by his soft, gentle eyes, noticeable to those who were wise enough to listen to him. His loved ones will miss his blatant and unsolicited advice and will mourn for those who refused to, or did not have the opportunity to, seek his wisdom and compassion.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, his son Bobby Lloyd Grisham of Black Oak, his sister Linda Smith of Black Oak, and sister-in-law, Frankie Grisham of Jonesboro.
Daddy Bob is survived by his loving children: Carrie Grisham of Mountain Home and Connie Tarver of Jonesboro. He was a proud grandfather to Bobby Heath Grisham of Monette; Dr. Blake and Elisabeth Grisham of Lubbock, Texas; Alaina (Allie) and Philip Watt of Lake City; Blaine and Magan Tarver of Manila; and Bluford Joe Clay Tarver of Jonesboro. Bob also leaves behind cherished great-grandchildren: Kia Nicole Hawkins of Monette; Willie and Margo Watt of Lake City; and Ava Grace and Macy Grisham Tarver of Manila. He was blessed to have two great-great-grandchildren, Michael Thatcher and Cypress Heath Hawkins of Monette. Bobby is also survived by his brother, Jim Grisham of Jonesboro; brother-in-law, Lynn Smith of Black Oak; and two special nieces, Barbara Ann Sanders of Jonesboro and Dr. Tara Smith of Black Oak.
A celebration of Bob's life will be graveside on Sunday, June 8, at 3:00 PM at Monette Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Pastor Roger Duffel from Bethabara Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Mike Estes, Dennis Gathright, Justin Gathright, Robert Harrell, Brian Harrell, and Wade Gathright. The family requests lasting memorials be made to John 3:16 Ministries in Charlotte, Arkansas, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.