Robert Simmons "Bobby" Avery, Jr.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…a time to be born and a time to die…” 

Robert Simmons Avery Jr (Bobby) was born August 29, 1957. He was the beloved son of Robert Simmons Avery Sr and Annie Lois Elizabeth Smith Avery. Both parents are deceased. 

Bobby has one beloved son and grandson, Robert Simmons Avery III (Robby) of Moultrie, GA and Robert Simmons Avery IV (Rob) of Cedartown, GA. ‘Ba’ will be greatly missed. It was a joy to watch ‘Ba’ and Rob together; the teasing, the love. 

Bobby was the fifth child, and only son, in a family of six siblings. His sisters include; Donna Avery Allegood (Travis) of Sautee Nacoochee, GA, Susan Avery McCranie (Marshall) of Moultrie, GA, Annette Avery Clark (Leslie) of Suwannee, GA, Joy Avery Webb (Gerald) of Moultrie, GA, and Angela Avery Castellow (Lester) of Moultrie, GA. Uncle Bobby was a favorite with all his nieces and nephews for his sense of humor and the stories he told. That is also true with countless cousins and extended family. 

Bobby was formerly married to Carol Gray of Moultrie, GA. Earlier he was married to Angie Galphin of Norman Park, GA, the mother of his son. 

Bobby left this earth on September 1, 2025 following a lengthy illness, only three days after his 68th birthday. More than anything else, before his death, he knew he was well loved by family, friends, and neighbors. He was a favorite with the hospital staff of Valdosta ICU and Tallahassee Select Specialty Hospital Acute Rehab. 

Bobby was accomplished in all the ways that count. For work, he was a successful farmer in his youth, receiving recognition for Soil Conservation as his father did before him, and crop production. In later life, Bobby, with friend and neighbor Michael Lardy, grew a beautiful and bounteous organic garden every year. Bobby grew the best tomatoes ever! If he and Michael ever differed in opinion, Bobby simply said in his slow, deep voice, “Now I don’t mean to be argumentative.” 

Bobby was also a self taught ‘chef’. He followed Justin Wilson on ‘Louisiana Cookin’, who was a humorist and storyteller. It was a beautiful thing to listen to Bobby talk about gardening or share a recipe. Anytime he cooked, he shared with whoever stopped by to visit. 

An accomplished builder and woodworker; Bobby built, repaired, or fixed anything anyone needed, though he called himself a ‘piddler’. Like his garden, he shared that knowledge and expertise teaching others. 

Bobby loved music. One day in the hospital he jammed out with his nurses and family listening to all his favorites…Joe Bonamasso, ZZ Top, Greg Allman, and others. A favorite song was ‘The Sweetest Gift’ by Linda Ronstadt. 

A storyteller, humorist, fount of knowledge, Bobby was the keeper of family stories and memories. A character, a true original, an ‘old hippy’ as one neighbor called him. He was called a ‘Great American’ by others. 

Bobby cared for those around him; elderly neighbors and family members, their pets, animals, his own chickens (who sometimes rode around with him in his truck). His care and love for others was reflected back to him in his last days as they all cared for him, showing him the love he always showed others. All our hearts ache over the loss of Bobby. 

In the words of Randy Newman, another of Bobby’s favorites…

“You’ve got a friend in me 

You’ve got a friend in me 

When the road looks rough ahead 

And you’re miles and miles from your nice warm bed 

You just remember what your old pal said 

Boy, you’ve got a friend in me 

Yeah, you’ve got a friend in me.” 

Rest well now dear brother, peace be with you. 

“And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 

A celebration of Bobby’s life will be held at the Avery family farm, 1097 Cook Rd, Moultrie, GA, on October 18 at 2:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to Baker Funeral Home & Crematory.