Bobby Joe Fisher

Bobby Joe Fisher
RED OAK - Bobby Joe Fisher, age 90, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Born in Nash County, NC on December 15, 1934, he was the son of the late Johnny Fisher and Essie Fisher, also of Red Oak, NC.
Having lived in Red Oak most of his life, Bobby Joe was a member of the Red Oak United Methodist Church where along with his uncles, built the pastor's parsonage. He was a two-sport star in basketball and baseball at Red Oak High School which was a source of great memories, lifelong friends, and storytelling. Bobby Joe could tell a story with the best of them, and eastern North Carolina oral history was the subject of many a tale. He was a highly regarded Farmer and Tobacconist for much of his professional life where he grew tobacco, soybeans, corn, and raised prized Black Angus cows. He worked at Fenner's Warehouse and Raynor's Warehouse in Rocky Mount for many years. If there ever was a person born in this world that loved to give his time to others, it was Bobby Joe. The boards he served on are too numerous to mention but highlighted by the 35 years on the Nash County Soil and Water Conservation Board where he was Chairman for 31 years. He loved the annual catfish luncheons which he orchestrated. These events were enjoyed annually by well over 250 local and statewide farmers, elected officials and friends of Bobby Joe. The most recent luncheon in May of this year was the 51st annual event. He served on the board of Nash County Farm Bureau for 35 years and served as President for years 1999-2006. Bobby Joe loved children and especially loved working with the Nash County 4-H program where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. He was blessed by many friends that loved and cared deeply for him. Over the years, numerous elected officials sought out his counsel and support to "carry the vote" in Nash County and beyond. He had a lifelong fascination with the political process and always had a point of view and story to share. Bobby Joe loved learning about techniques in agriculture that were shaped by his teachers at Red Oak High School and NC State University. For years, young farmers sought his counsel particularly with tobacco and cattle production. We cannot leave out how much he loved the Wolfpack. Bobby Joe loved to watch them no matter what sport they were playing and was one of their biggest fans. Fittingly, he received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2017, the highest civilian honor for a North Carolinian. He was certainly a man that loved to serve Nash County. In November of 2024 he received recognition from Senator Thom Tillis for his invaluable contributions to North Carolina agricultural community and a US flag was flown over the United States Capitol in his honor. Republican representative of Nash County Allen Chesser also had the North Carolina flag flown over the Raleigh, NC capital in his honor that same day and he personally brought Bobby Joe that flag along with several other gifts. A few weeks later he received in the mail another US flag that was flown over the United States Capitol in his honor by Congressman David Rouzer in honor of his 90th birthday December 15, 2024. How cool was it to have these flags flown in his honor and then to receive 160+ birthday cards. He was beyond excited. On January 29, 2025, he was surprised again, the NC Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler honored him with the highest award given by the N C Department of Agriculture, The Ambassador of Agriculture. Bobby Joe constantly said what a blessed man he was.
Bobby Joe is survived by his two sons, Joseph Burke Fisher of Graham, NC and Brian Scott Fisher and wife, Jennifer, of Haverford, Pa.; his grandson, Wilson Alexander Fisher of Princeton, NJ; his brother, James Fisher, his niece, Diana Hercules and her two children, Cecilia and Kevin, of Salisbury, NC; his first cousins, Barbara Jackson who was like a sister to him, Janice Thomas, Judy Turner, Steve Fisher, Brenda Siers, Fred Dickens, and Tom Helms; his special friend, Linda Hill Burgess, her son, Billy Giddeons and wife, Toni, and their daughters, who knew him as Grandpa, Bailey and her fiancé Thomas Dean, Madison, and Emma; included too were siblings of Linda's whom he loved so much, Glenn Hill, Amos and JoAnn Mills, Wayne and Deborah Hill, and Mike and Sue Brinkley; and a slew of nieces and nephews of the Hill family; his Dorothy Lane neighbors at Bend of the River in Rocky Mount. They all knew Bobby Joe as the Mayor. He visited them all and welcomed newcomers from his little red Golf Cart; also, his fur babies, Dexter and Precious.
A Funeral Service to celebrate Bobby Joe's life will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Parker Phillips officiating and Sue Brinkley will be the pianist and soloist. Burial will follow the service at Red Oak Baptist Church Cemetery.
A special thanks to Donna Collie, a dear friend and nurse of Dr. Douglas Slater, who both were there helping guide Linda with Bobby Joe's health needs; neighbor and dear friends, Bruce and Debra Slavin and friend, Skip Sprye, who have been constant support.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bobby 's memory to the Red Oak Area Historic Preservation Society, PO Box 61, Red Oak, NC 27868 (919-495-5863 for more information) or the Nash County 4H Program, NC Cooperative Extension, 1006 Easter Ave., Nashville, NC 27856 (252-459-9810 for more information).
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.