Robert Bryon Whitley, Sr.
Graveside services for Robert Bryon Whitley, Sr., 66, of Florence who died Monday March 18, 2024 in Florence were at 1:30 p.m. Friday March 22, 2024 at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Jeff Holland officiating.
Burial followed under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation was 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Friday March 22, 2024 at Laird Funeral Home.
Mr. Whitley was born July 09, 1957 in Ann Arbor, Michigan the son of Robert Harold Whitley and Helen Cressman Whitley.
He attended school at Neshoba Central in Philadelphia, MS. Enlisted in the Army and served on Active duty and in the Army National Guard for 17 years, and earned his Emergency Medical Technician license. He worked at Region 6 Mental Health Center, and Marion Hill as an inpatient and outpatient alcohol and drug counselor. For 27 years he worked at American Medical Response as an Emergency Medical Technician and vehicle service technician. Robert loved to hunt and fish; he enjoyed playing guitar and working on his ham radio. He loved listening to his favorite music artist, The Eagles, Stevie Nicks, and Keith Whitley.
Robert will be remembered as a kind and nurturing spirit who guided through the most chaotic events with such grace and ease. His stoicism and calming nature, touched those closest to him, providing a sense of safety. Robert was selfless in his daily life, providing for those around him and ensuring everyone’s needs were met before his own. Robert was dependable, loyal, and hardworking. As a husband and father, he was loving and accepting, a true embodiment of unconditional love. As a friend, he was charismatic and entertaining, always providing light in otherwise dark times.
Mr. Whitley was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and sister.
Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Ruth Whitley, of Florence MS.; his oldest son, Robert Bryon Whitley Jr. (Jessica) and their two children Robert Bryon Whitley III and Ginger Lily Whitley of Philadelphia, Ms.; his youngest, Ash Whitley (Paulina), of Hampton, Virginia; his brother William Harold “Chip” Whitley (Doma) of Philadelphia, Ms.; his beloved nieces, Tanya Whittle (Michael) of McCool, MS and Dawn Goodwin (Jeff) of Philadelphia, Ms.; and the numerous “bonus kids” he worked with through the years that he loved so dearly, and that loved him like a father. Lastly, his pets, that were by his side in his final moments.
Memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project and First Responder Foundation.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.