Bob Vickers

Robert (“Bob”) Duke Vickers heard the sweet words that he had been longing to hear, “Welcome Home,” as he entered through heaven’s gates on Monday morning, October 24, 2022.

Bob was born on August 24, 1938 in Grenada, Mississippi to Robert Lee Vickers and Charlie Mae Scruggs Vickers of Carrollton, Mississippi, the youngest of ten siblings.  When he was born, he only weighed two pounds.  His mother was so concerned that he was so tiny and did not cry, but one of her friends told her when he reached time when his birth was expected he would let them know.  That he did, and he has been vocal ever since.  Though he began life so small, he grew to great stature and had a large impact on the lives he touched.

It was while his father’s occupation as a railroad engineer had brought the family to live in West Point that he met and fell in love with Sarah Frances Rhea, the daughter of Charles Frank Rhea and Frances Beatrice Uithoven Rhea, whom he married on August 11, 1956 becoming his helpmate till his last days.

As a young man, he joined the Army National Guard in 1955 in West Point, later served as part of the Army in Fort Polk, Louisiana, and was honorably discharged in 1963.

Following his military service, he naturally fell into a career of providing groceries to the public, since he had gained experience in his youth working in a grocery store way back when they delivered groceries to peoples’ houses.  Bob and Sarah moved to Tupelo about 1965 where he worked at Sunflower grocery store as the store manager.  He loved constantly meeting new people as part of the grocery store business, which enabled him to excel in his next work at Barber’s Milk Company where he ran a milk route to various grocery stores and schools in Tupelo.  There again he was in his element as he got to meet new people every day.

About 1980, he and his wife became owners and operators of Vickers Kom Pak Food Mart in Tupelo and later of Vickers Grocery in Sherman.  After he and his wife “retired” about 2000, she continued to help care for her grandchildren, and he began working as a greeter at Sam’s Club where he enjoyed speaking with people for over twenty years.  He enjoyed getting up and going to Sam’s each day to meet new people.  Sam’s became his life.  Everyone loved Mr.  Bob at Sam’s.  The children would wait for him to put a smiley face on their tickets.  You always knew when he had been at work and days that he was not able to go.

He loved the Lord and his family dearly.  In fact, he just loved people in general.  He would do whatever he could to make sure others had what they needed.  He was always ready to share his faith with anyone who would listen.  Bob and Sarah had their first child, Larry Dale Vickers, while they lived in West Point and their second child, Angela Ruth Vickers, was born after they had moved to Tupelo.  One of his greatest joys in life was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He would light up anytime he talked about them and cherished every moment he got to spend with them.

After 84 years of life, he leaves behind his grieving wife, Sarah, of 66 years; children, Larry Vickers and Angela Lewis (David); grandchildren, Drew Lewis (Raegan), Lauren Vickers (Derrick Coots), Nicholas Lewis, and Amanda Cavaness; great-grandchildren, Kylie Lewis, Hudson Coots, Gracie Boling, and Ava Cavaness; and family friend, Chris Reynolds.  He was gathered to his father’s amongst his parents; brothers, James Lee, Thomas, Billy, Herbert, Charles, Roy, Clyde, and Dewitt; and sister, Katherine Black.

A service celebrating his life will be held at 11 AM Monday, October 31, 2022 from the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo will be held on Monday, October 31, 2022 with Rev. Paul Brashier officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, October 30, 2022 from 3PM-5PM at Holland Funeral Directors and from 10AM-Service time on Monday.

For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming at 11 AM Monday and will be permanently archived thereafter.

Pallbearers will be David Lewis, Drew Lewis, Nicholas Lewis, and Victor Carrozza.

The family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 St.  Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.