Bobby Lee Cothrine

Bobby Lee Cothrine peacefully departed this earthly life on Tuesday morning, June 13, 2023.  Bobby was born on January 22, 1938, in Violet Hill, Arkansas to the late Ezra and Alma Gean (Gardner) Cothrine.  He was a loving husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and bus driver.  He had an innate ability to positively impact the lives of everyone he met. 

Mr. Bobby, as many people know him, was sweet, kind, generous, faithful, and a “never met a stranger” type of person. He was always quick to ask “Hun, where are you from?” or “Where do you go to church?” He loved cars of which he bought plenty and they were all “white.” He watched Wheel of Fortune every night, never missed a Young and the Restless or Days of Our Lives, enjoyed old westerns, and was an avid Razorback, NBA, and NFL fan. 

Bobby started his career as a school bus driver who carried students from Melbourne to Batesville.  He quickly became a jack of all trades by working at the old Clinic Hospital, Arkansas Power and Light, the Arkansas Highway Department, and the Batesville School District.  Bobby was a volunteer policeman, washed cars, and sold everything from Watkins, World Books, Tupperware, vacuums, and probably much more. 

Bobby was a member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Batesville, AR, and served as a devoted usher, steward, and layman of the church. 

Bobby met and fell in love with Jo Ann Barris and they were married on April 19, 1964. Together they had two daughters, Ann Brown (Craig) of Batesville and the late Bobbie Jo Hernandez (Alex). 

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Alma and Ezra Cothrine; daughter, Bobbie Jo Hernandez; siblings, Mary McBride of St. Louis, Missouri; Douglas Cothrine, Joe Louis Cothrine, Lucille Sherrill, and Emma Lou Sherrill all of Batesville, Arkansas.

Bobby leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Jo Ann of the home; a daughter, Ann (Craig) of Batesville; a sister, Rose Ella Mills of Batesville; four grandchildren, Danielle and Cliff Brown (Ann’s children), Brianna and Callie Jo Hernandez (Bobbi Jo’s daughters); one great-grandchild, Ayden (Danielle’s daughter), several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Services of Batesville, Arkansas.  There will be a visitation on Monday, June 19, 2023, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Willis Funeral Service Chapel.  Bobby’s funeral service will be at 1:00 pm on Monday, June 19, 2023, following the visitation with Rev. Mary Cash officiating. Burial to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville. 

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be the District 6 Masonic Lodge.

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