Robert Joe Rich

On July 21st, 2022 Robert Joe Rich, husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, former colleague and Christian passed away peacefully at his home in Waynesboro, TN, surrounded by the love of his wife, daughter, and son-in-law at the age of 93 years. He was born on August 27, 1928 in Savannah, TN to the late Dave Allen and Clara Mae Reed Rich. Mr. Rich started working for T.V.E.C. in 1949 and retired after 45 years in 1994 as a superintendent. He was also a member of the Wayne Furnace Church of Christ in Waynesboro, TN.

Robert Joe will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 72 years, Mary Nell Gibbs Rich of Waynesboro, TN, a daughter, Barbara Joe Staggs and husband Gary Lynn of Waynesboro, TN, grandchildren, Hollie Lay and husband Richard of Hohenwald, TN, Canetha Frost and husband Jeremiah of Decatur, AL, and Robert Blake Staggs of Waynesboro, TN; great-grandchildren, Alexzandria “Allie” Bratcher, Sloan Matthews, Triston Scot Smith, Hayley Staggs, Landon Jordan Frost, Blayley Staggs, and Kasin Dunnivant, and great-great-grandchildren, Wyatt Bratcher, Bexlee Bratcher, Jaxx Hall, and Willow Hall.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Rich is preceded in death by a son, David Lynn Rich, and a granddaughter, April Rich.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday, July 24, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. service time at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Waynesboro, TN.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday July 24, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Waynesboro, TN with Cary Crews, Hollie Lay, and Canetha Frost officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens in Waynesboro, TN with Shackelford Funeral Directors assisting the family.

Pallbearers include, Triston Scot Smith, Robert Staggs, Sloan Matthews, Richard Lay, James Haddock, Jimmy Willoughby, and Bob Averett.

Honorary pallbearers include, Joe Crews, Paul Skelton, and Paul Coggins.