Stephen Bobby South

Madisonville - Stephen Bobby South, 79, of Madisonville, Tennessee, passed away on March 7, 2026. Bob was born on February 14, 1947, in Jamestown, Tennessee. He graduated from Southside High School in Muncie, Indiana and was drafted into the Army in 1966. Bob spent one combat tour in Vietnam where he was awarded three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star among other awards. Bob retired from his 40-year career with Ameritech, previously Indiana Bell and currently AT&T, and relocated to Madisonville. Throughout his life he was known for his work ethic, good humor and for the way he showed up for others. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother who took great pride in his family. Nothing was more important to him than spending time with his family. Some of his greatest joys included working on cars with his son, teaching his grandsons to fish and shoot, sitting around a campfire with his siblings, and traveling with his wife to visit his daughter and her family across the country and around the world. Bob is survived by wife Brenda, and children Stephanie (David) Ostrowski of Springfield, Virginia and Jason (Claudia) South of Cave Creek, Arizona. He was the proud grandfather of Michael and Mason Ostrowski of Springfield, Virginia. He is also survived by brothers Gary (Sandy) Winningham of Spencer, Indiana and Mark (Lynn) Winningham of Winchester, Indiana; also, sisters Kathy (Rick Barnhill) Winningham of Dyersburg, Tennessee and Alice (Tony) Eastgate of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his mother Edna Winningham.

A funeral service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Disabled American Veterans and the American Cancer Society. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his love of a good time with family. Arrangements by Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville, TN.