Bobby Culpepper

1941 - 2015

Bobby Loyce Culpepper

Bobby Loyce Culpepper was born on July 26, 1941, in Jonesboro, Louisiana, and passed away at Glenwood Hospital in West Monroe on August 15, 2015, at the age of seventy four following a sudden illness. He is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Elizabeth Estelle Walker Culpepper, of Jonesboro; his daughter, Teresa Loyce Culpepper Carroll (husband - Clay), of Jonesboro and his son, William Todd Culpepper (wife - Laura), of Quitman. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Sallie Otwell Fenn (husband - Anthony), of Quitman; Syble Otwell Deal (husband - Brian), of Quitman; Elizabeth Louise Carroll Joynor (husband - Brandon), of Jonesboro; Jeffrey Clay Carroll, Jr. of Jonesboro; and Brandon Loyce Carroll of Jonesboro as well as four great-grandchildren: Camden Deal, Cali Deal, Addison Fenn and Allie Fenn. He is also survived by his siblings: Howard Culpepper (wife -Patricia) of Huntsville, Alabama; Everrett Culpepper (wife - Bonnie) of Myrtle Creek, Oregon; Lynnette Sandidge of Jonesboro; Nelda Jane Oliver (husband - Paxton) of West Monroe; Mike Culpepper of West Monroe; and Margaret Brumfield (husband - Pat) of Jonesboro; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Edwin and Myrtle Culpepper, and his son, Nathan Bradley Culpepper.

He graduated from Jonesboro Hodge High School as valedictorian in 1959 and continued his education, on scholarship, at Louisiana State University where he graduated from law school in January of 1966 and was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in April of that same year. After law school, he was privileged to clerk for Judge AI Tate, the Senior presiding Judge at the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal. When his clerkship ended, he reported for active duty as a commissioned officer with the military police branch of the United States Army. After his active duty, he served in the Army Reserve and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1971.

When his active-duty status changed, he returned to his home in Jackson Parish to formally begin his law practice, where he actively practiced law until his death. He was licensed to practice law in all state and federal court within the state of Louisiana as well as the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. During his extensive legal career, he served as assistant district attorney under three district attorneys and as assistant attorney general for the State of Louisiana. He was an active participant of many professional legal organizations including the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, where he was a member of the board of governors. He was a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, American Bar Association, the American Judicature Society Association, Phi Eta Sigma Fraternity and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. He was listed in the First Edition of Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who in American Politics, Who's Who in America, Who's Who Internationally, and Who's Who in Business. He also received the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbard, the organization that rates attorneys throughout the United States.

Through the years, he was very active in civic and community activities, including the Lion's Club, Kiwanis Club, Jackson Parish Farm Bureau, Jackson Parish Cancer Society, LSU Alumni Federation, Jackson Parish Jaycees, American Legion Commander, numerous advisory boards, Jimmie Davis Tabernacle Foundation, original member of the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame, and serving as President of the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame. He was also active in both state and federal politics and was appointed as a Colonel and Aide-de-Camp on the Governor's staff for both John J. McKeithen and Edward W. Edwards. He was the longest continually serving member of the Louisiana Democratic State Committee, having served since 1968. He was appointed as a delegate to the 1976 National Democratic Convention. He also served on committees for both Republican as well as Democratic candidates and on advisory committees for both Democratic as well as Republican Presidents.

He was proud to be a Southern Baptist for most of his life and was a member of First Baptist Church of Jonesboro where he had served as chairman of the board of directors, chairman of the board of deacons, Sunday School teacher, discipleship training leader and pastor search committee member.

He was also a published author having written "Objection, Your Honor: The Story of a Country Lawyer" which was published in 2012 and was working on a second book at the time of his death.

His only hobby, besides work, was LSU football. As a proud Alum of LSU, he was a member of the Purple Jacket Group, a distinction given only to those who have reached a high level of financial support for LSU athletics. He was also an original member of the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation.

Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Edmonds Funeral Home in Jonesboro. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, with Rev. Herb Dickerson, Rev. Randy Dark, and Rev. Charles Wesley officiating. Interment will follow in the Transport Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Terry Terrill, James Bradford, Greg Davies, Stephen Watts, Darrell R. Avery, and Judge Jimmy Teat. Honorary Pallbearers will be Chuck Allen, D.J. Allen, Carl Cooper, Herman Castete, Joe Cusimano, Jim Hatch, and the Deacons of First Baptist Church Jonesboro. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Family Life Center Fund at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro.

You may send condolences and view our website at www.edmondsfuneralhome.com.