Robert Franks “Bob” Oakley, age 78, went to meet his Lord and Savior on January 18, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lillian “Doll” Oakley, of Louisville, MS; his son Sean and wife Kendra of Brandon; daughter Shea Oakley of Louisville; grandchildren, Mia and Sam Oakley; and his sister Gaye Calhoun of Oxford. Bob was born on April 5, 1943 in Booneville to parents George Enoch and Virginia Franks Oakley. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother George Samuel Oakley of Booneville.
He graduated from Booneville High School in 1961 where he excelled in basketball. He followed in his brothers footsteps and attended Mississippi State University where he played on the basketball team his freshman year. Upon graduation from MSU, he taught school and coached at Ackerman and Louisville High School for seven years and then served as the Winston County director of Health and Human Services for over 20 years. Upon retiring from the state, he then began a second career as a Farm Bureau agent in Oktibbeha County for 13 years. Bob was an avid sports fan who loved playing golf with all of his friends and he also loved his Mississippi State Bulldogs and St. Louis Cardinals. Bob was a true family man and he deeply loved and cared for his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a positive influence on so many of the people he encountered at various points in his life and made a positive impact on so many of lives he touched.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home at 742 N. Columbus Avenue in Louisville, MS on Saturday, January 22. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a service to follow immediately afterwards. During the service the family would love for people to share stories and memories as a tribute to his life.
Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN online at stjude.org/donate.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
