Bobby Lee Gay

Bobby Lee Gay May 2, 1933 – March 2, 2018 1st Sgt. Bobby Lee Gay, 84 passed away Friday, March 2, 2018 at home surrounded by his loving wife, Lucinda and other family members. After graduating from West Edgecombe High School, Bobby joined the U.S. Army where he served his country from 1953 – 1973. He served in Korea, Vietnam, Germany, and Okinawa, along with various U.S. Posts. During his service he received the National Defense Service Award, the Korean Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal, with many other citations and awards which recognized his valiant service to our country. After retiring from the Army as 1st Sergeant, Bobby graduated from Lafayette College, Magna Cum Laude. He worked in the textile industry for several years. Bobby was very active in the Hollandale Advent Christian Church, serving in several leadership roles. Bobby and Lucinda later joined Wilbanks Christian Church which he dearly loved and enjoyed the music so much. Bobby was an avid golfer and a Tar Heel fan. Bobby’s funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Wilbanks Christian Church, 6128 NC Hwy 42 East, Elm City. Interment with Military honors will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson. Rev. Bobby D. White and Rev. Dwight Batts will officiate. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 – 9 p.m. at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson and other times at the home. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, William Dempsey and Annie Leigh Proctor; sister, Louise Viverette; his brothers, Kenneth Gay, Gene Gay, and Junior Gay, and his son, Robert Bruce Amerson Bobby leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, the love of his life, Lucinda; his children, Teresa Cryer of Raleigh, Wanda Haltigan and husband, William of Sharpsburg, Frances Mills of Roanoke Rapids, Susan Driver and husband, Allen of Elm City, and Cheryl Amerson; grandchildren, Jennifer Todd, Ashley Durham, and Tyler Amerson all of Wilson, Annie Evans of Indiana, Amanda Randolph of Raleigh, Betsy Burnham of Texas, Heather Johnson, Donald Johnson of Roanoke Rapids, and Christi Tedder; great-grandchildren, Trey, John David, Connor, Brody, Payton, Weylin, Odin, Brianna, Keagan, Declan, Kendall, Jordan, Taylor, and Gracie, and his sisters, Katherine Sykes and husband, Randy, and Patricia Warren. The family wishes to thank hospice and care givers, Brenda, Geraldine, Selma, and Heather for their dedicated care and service during Bobby’s illness. Flowers are welcome or memorials in Bobby’s memory may be directed to Wilbanks Christian Church, 6128 NC Hwy 42 East, Elm City, North Carolina 27822. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.