Bobby E. Jarrard

Bobby E Jarrard, 81, of Hiawassee, GA, passed away on Monday, January 19 2026 at Langdale Hospice after a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Bob was a very talented man. He was an entrepreneur, a landscaper, a house builder, a salesman, a mechanic, and a pilot. He was awarded the 1962 Star Student Award in the State of Georgia for highest SAT score. His love was big trucks and he loved designing them with specifications needed by the utility companies and other industries. In the 1970's and 80's he recognized there was a problem with the ambulances built out of van bodies. The equipment hanging on the sides made the vans top heavy and at high speeds, going around curves and corners, the vans often turned over. He worked with an up fitter to design another ambulance on a two ton truck chassis that was heavier and more stable. He sold his prototype to South Georgia Medical Center. General Motors refused to warranty it because it was off label use so he didn't patent it but that is the design now of every ambulance being used in this country. He was an out of the box thinker.

He served veterans for many years as a lifetime Marine Corps League member in Hiawassee, where he lived for 30 years. Among his many awards are Chevrolet Hall of Fame 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979; Legion of Chevrolet Leaders 1975, and JM Family Enterprises All Time Used Car Sales Record 261 Used Cars Sold, March, 1986. His greatest accomplishment was winning 14 people to Christ during Evangelism Explosion. Bobby was born in the mountains of North Georgia in rural area known as Suches, to Homer and Mae Jarrard. He loved wild animals and grew up hunting, trapping, and living off the land. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Martha “Sis” Jarrard; step-daughter Forrest New Vacher (Nate); granddaughter, Violet. He is predeceased by his daughter, Helen; his parents; his sisters, Betty Ann Brotherton, Nancy Woods, Dora Lee Dial, and Johnny Sue Head; his brothers, Preston Jarrard, Cecil Jarrard, and Robert Jarrard. He is survived by his special brother, Homer Jarrard, his special nephews Donnie Brotherton and Ricky Head, special niece, Sonia Jarrard, and numerous other nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for Mr. Jarrard will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Sunset Hill Cemetery. Reverend Steven Dees and Reverend Mac Weaver will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of South Georgia (2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602) or Fellowship Home Brookside Memory Care (Fellowship Brookside, 470 Fellowship Home Lane, Valdosta, Georgia 31602). Condolences may be shared online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.