Robert Holley

Robert Allen Holley

Wrens, GA –               Robert Allen Holley, 83, loving husband of 63+ years to Ruby Frances Perdue Holley, peacefully entered into his eternal rest Monday evening, August 22, 2022 at Augusta University. Services to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday morning, August 26, 2022 at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church with the Reverends Shane Busby and Paul Moore officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

One of eleven born to the late Mary Elizabeth Johnson Holley and the late Jasper Holley, Robert grew up in the Matthews/Wrens area, graduating from Wrens High School in 1958.  Having met the love of his life at church and them being high school sweethearts, they married in December of 1958, moving immediately to Newport News, VA where Robert apprenticed and graduated as a pipe fitter in the ship yard.  After the birth of their son, the moved to Thomson later moving back to Wrens in 1971 where Robert started Wrens Finance Company.  He semi-retired in 1990 and fully retired in 1999 after selling the business to his son.  Robert was community-minded and a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Optimist Club.  An outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish; but his most favorite outdoor sport was golf—he played as often as he could, weather permitting.  Robert also enjoyed traveling, especially with as many of his family and friends that could join him—the lake, the beach, the mountains, cross-country trips, etc.  He loved people and truly never met a stranger—a stranger was just a friend he had not yet met!  He always found common ground with others.  Up until the pandemic, Robert was part of the breakfast club at Peggy’s, then at McDonald’s, where their discussions ranged from local to national concerns.  He was very gregarious and loved to socialize.  Robert was known far and wide for his “stories” and jokes: he could entertain you for hours on end as he “always had a story to tell” and he told it with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin on his face.  He enjoyed life to its fullest.  As a young boy, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, serving Him at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, taught the Men’s Sunday School class, sang in the choir and sang in the men’s quartet.  (As most people know, the Holleys are a musical clan who love to sing hymns and gospel music.)  Above all else on earth, Robert loved his family and was happiest and most content in their presence.  In November 2020, Robert suffered through a four-month long battle with COVID after which his health was compromised and his body never able to regain his former strength. Because of his love for his family and his strong-willed determination, he fought his health battles valiantly until his appointed time came when Jesus took his hand and he entered into his eternal home in Heaven.  Robert has now joined his loved ones in Heaven where they are singing praises and worshiping at the Throne of God.

Robert is also preceded in death by his grandson, Andrew Crunkleton; son-in-law, Tony Crunkleton; and five siblings, David Holley, Clarence Holley, Sarah Gay, Jeanette Perdue and Sandra Norton. Others left to cherish his memories include his children, Greg A. Holley (Alisa), Melinda Smith (Charles) and Mary Crunkleton; nine grandchildren, Rob Holley (Sarah), Abbey Meyer (Chris), Heather Holley, Brittney Smith, Kristen Black (Jon), Charlotte Hand (Carson), Tripp Smith, Taylor Ware (Zach) and Kasey Crunkelton; five great grandchildren, Emeri Holley, Eva Holley, Mills Meyer, Bronson Ware and Weslynn Ware; five siblings, Annie “Sheetie” Anderson, Gloria Jones, Lamar Holley (Bonnie), Shirley Reese (Temus) and Tony Holley (Gayle); a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family, church family and friends.  Servings as pallbearers will be Mark Holley, Ben Layton, Johnny Rabun, Phillip Robinson, Bernie Thompson and Jim Whitson.

Since the long-range future plans for Mt. Horeb Baptist Church was a supreme concern to Robert, the family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 563, Wrens GA 30833.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Thursday evening, August 25, 2022.