Robert Hackley "Bob" Hemeter

Robert "Bob" Hackley Hemeter was born on October 7, 1935, in Prentiss, MS, and he died on January 11, 2023, in McComb, MS. At Prentiss High School, Bob played football and the clarinet, but was, shockingly, not recruited to play either at the collegiate level. At the University of Southern Mississippi, he studied business and marketing, and he was a member and pledge trainer of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. There, Bob met his soulmate, Liddell, when he was cheating off of her "just a little" in typing class. They married at Centenary United Methodist Church soon after, and spent the next 57 wonderful years together.
In 1963, after fulfilling his service in the Army National Guard, he and Liddell moved to McComb to take over Home Furniture Company from Liddell's father. Bob owned and operated four furniture stores in the area, and he was a pioneer in implementing computerized inventory systems in his stores-a technologically savvy past that may come as a surprise to anyone who ever witnessed him attempt to use an iPhone. In later years, Bob and Liddell formed Furniture Partners, which allowed them to travel the Southeast for 17 years, making many friends along the way and earning national awards for sales and customer service.
Bob served the McComb community in innumerable ways throughout the last six decades. Most recently, his Decembers were spent as The Salvation Army's most jolly bell ringer, and he spent four years volunteering with St. Andrew's Mission, making deliveries twice a week to local residents in need of a warm meal. In recognition of his service to McComb, Bob received the Enterprise Journal's 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2022, he was crowned king of the Junior Auxiliary's Azalea Ball alongside his dear friend, queen Judi Passman.
Bob had an affinity for a few endearing luxuries, including meals at Galatoire's, pedicures, and Suave hair spray. Oh, and floating-floating on a nice raft in a pool or tied to a boat cleat in the Gulf of Mexico, and floating with his floaty belt while swimming laps at Fit Life. An avid angler, he was happiest when he was limiting out on speckled trout with his friends and family in Cocodrie, LA, where he was once crowned champion of the Redneck Fishing Rodeo. At age 76, a fear of stingrays almost ended Bob's wade fishing career-that is, until he discovered shin guards in the sporting goods aisle of his favorite store, Walmart. However, the greatest threat to this fisherman's career came at 82, when a pedicure-related toe infection almost cost him his foot. Fortunately, his valiant fortitude allowed him to walk out of that hospital and strap on those shin guards once more. His five-day course of IV antibiotics was perhaps helpful too. Keeping both feet was particularly important to Bob for another reason: although he never admitted it, we all know he used both of them to drive. Driving may not have been Bob's strongest suit, but in his defense, his only collisions occurred in his own driveway, with various relatives' parked cars. Bob lived a big and admirable life until the end, and he and his little fender benders will be missed by all who knew him (except the speckled trout, who are understandably relieved).
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Hackley Hemeter, mother, Elizabeth Clark, and adoptive father B.C. Clark; and infant brother Clyde Ellis Clark. Liddell Hay Hemeter, his beloved wife, and Sarah Palin, their beloved dog, also precede him.
He is survived by his daughters, Robin (Chris) Schwartz, Beth (Joelene Morrow) Hemeter, and Christy (Chad) Milton; granddaughters, Anna and Claire Schwartz; grandsons, Drew and Charlie Milton; brother, Charlie (Kathryn) Clark; and dog, Molly. Honorary daughters include Nan Felder, Susan Gibbes, and Keiko Owari.
The family especially appreciates the loving care and companionship shown to our father by Kristi Willoughby, Carolyn Bennett, Crystal Newton, and the staff of Camellia Estates.
Visitation will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 1:00-3:00PM, with a memorial service immediately following. Hartman Funeral Home in McComb is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Bob requested that contributions be made to St. Andrew's Mission, MICA, PALS, or First Christian Church of McComb.