GRAVESIDE SERVICE FOR FAMILY:     Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Runnels Cemetery-Hattiesburg

10:00 a.m.

SERVICE FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY:     Sunday, July 31, 2022

Kingdom of Jevhova's Wittnesses

A No In Person Service-Zoom In Only

4:00 p.m.

A Graveside service for the family will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at the Runnels Cemetery of Hattiesburg for Mr. Bobby Ray Hornsby, age 88, of Hattiesburg who passed from this life on July 24, 2022. Bro. Greg Brupbacher and Bro. Aaron Smith will officiate with burial to follow.

A no in person service with a zoom in only for friends and family will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022, in the Kingdom Hall of Jehova's Witnesses, 7141 US Hwy 49 North, Hattiesburg, MS 39402.

Bobby Ray Hornsby was born between Lumberton and Purvis, Mississippi on May 12, 1934. His parents were William Thomas Hornsby (WT or Bill) and Laura Alv Guy. He had an older brother, Tommy Preston Hornsby.

He was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in Little Black Creek at the age of 8 on July 5, 1942. He was proud to say he was baptized with Ivanor Slade, one of the most zealous preachers he ever knew and Winnie Lee, one the of the most knowledgeable Bible students he knew at the time.

All his life Bob had a love for Jehovah and for people. His 1 ^st question to most people he met was "Where are you from"?

Bob left home after high school and pioneered around the Columbia, MS area. Then he was asked, along with Virgil Ward, to move to the West Bank area around New Orleans, Louisianna. There they helped establish a congregation in Gretna-Algiers area. Both brothers were successful in their assignment, and both married local sisters.

Bob married Dolores Jean Ernst in 1954 and they had 5 children, Rebecca Lynn (Greg Brupbacher), Rachael Ilene (Ronald Baye), Joel William (Eva), Ruth Ellen and Elizabeth Renee (Derek Moore). They had 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. His wife, Delores, died in 2007.

In 2008 Bob married Katherine Wilson, the cook of his life. She made him happy gardening together and eating the fruits of their labors, and most importantly serving our God, Jehovah!

Bob was a very spiritual man his whole life. Over the years Bob had many privileges of service. He went to many theocratic schools, some for overseers, pioneers, training for the hospital liaison committee, also for safety at the Kingdom Hall construction projects. He even spent a month at a training school for overseers in the winter of 1964. That was a great experience because he was able to attend and room with his brother, Tommy. He was also instrumental in the integration of the congregations in the New Orleans, Louisiana area in the mid to late 1960's.

Popa, as he was known by his grandchildren, was known for 'testing' the grandchildren on various Bible topics. Erica remembers being tested on Matthew 24:45 on the faithful and discreet slave, the domestics and belongings. She did not appreciate it at all at the time but, a few years later she was asked about this ministry and was able to give the answer with Popa's and Jehovah's help. Laura too remembers being tested but, also remembers going to breakfast at IHOP and witnessing in parking lots, hotels and hospital waiting rooms. Katie remembers Popa always ordering the Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity. He also loved to show them 'how a horse bites and always had to count their ribs'.

All in all, Bob had a good life, not perfect, but he always tried to put Jehovah first. Even though Alzheimer's robbed him of most of his memories, he never forgot Jehovah. You could say, "Daddy, say a prayer for us" and he would do it perfectly. For now, he's in the best place he could possibly be, in Jehovah's memory. He will meet us in Paradise; he's just taking the tunnel. See you soon, we love you!

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dolores Jean Ernst Hornsby; parents, William Thomas and Laura Alv Hornsby and brother, Tommy Preston Hornsby.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy St. Amant Wilson Hornsby of Hattiesburg; children, Rebecca Lynn Hornsby Brupbacher (Greg) of Thibodaux, LA, Rachael Ilene Hornsby Baye (Ron) of Petal, Joel William Hornsby (Eva) of Hattiesburg, Ruth Ellen Hornsby of Tennessee and Elizabeth Renee Hornsby Moore (Derek) of Hattiesburg; grandchildren, Jessica Jael Baye Morris (Richard), Charles William Brupbacher (Lyndsey), Jared Seth Baye (Amy), Robin Jean Williams Deveraux (Erik), Laura Emily Brupbacher (Bryan), Erica Lynn Hornsby (Craig), Ryan Gregory Brupbacher (Elizabeth), Harrison Levi Williams (Holly), Jason Nicolas Baye (Candace), Katie Lynn Brupbacher, Annette Kristen Hornsby (Tyler), Amber Nicole Moore and Autumn Elise Moore; great grandchildren, Alexis Jade Deveraux, Joseph Seth Baye, Kai Jaxon Burriss, Rhett Thomas Deveraux, Mia Sovay Williams, Lillian Christine Baye, Ayden Riley Williams, Dominic Levi Williams and Ezra Reed Williams; sisters-in-law, Janet Hornsby and Dorothy E. Wheeler; brothers-in-law, Donald Ernst and George St. Amant; niece, Bonnie Hornsby Bellmontez (Nick) and great niece, Erin P. Parada.

Jones and Son Funeral Home of Moselle is in charge of the services.