Robert Herring Church, Jr.

Robert Herring Church Jr., age 80, of Mansfield, Louisiana passed away on July 4, 2020. Robert (Bob) was born in Jacksonville, FL on November 14, 1939 and was preceded in death by his father and mother Robert H. and Ethel Mae Higginbotham Church and his sister Ethel Susan Church McClure Stephens. Bob is survived by his wife Caryl Hagan Church and his sisters, Jeanette Burn, Dorothy McGinnis and Shirley Cromwell. He has two sons, Robert Herring Church III, and Russell Lee Church (Samantha) of Mobile, Alabama. Bob is the proud grandfather of three granddaughters, Madison (John) Ragland (both recent graduates of Auburn University); Abigail, currently a Sophomore at Ole Miss and a member of the Ole Miss Rebelettes Dance Team and Emma, a rising Freshman at Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama. Bob took great joy in watching his granddaughters grow into beautiful young women. Bob attended Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, FL along with the love of his life, Caryl Hagan Church. Robert graduated in May 1958 and attended the University of Florida. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Bob and Caryl were married in June 1963. Bob and Caryl moved from Jacksonville, FL to Prentiss, MS and then Monticello, MS before moving to Mansfield, LA in 1981. Bob was born and raised an Advent Christian. Bob joined the Methodist Church when he married Caryl. Bob was always active in the church but was also active with the Jaycees, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Rotary Club, DeSoto Chamber of Commerce, and the Industrial District Board. Bob was also active in the Mansfield Golf and Country Club, where he played golf for over 40 years. After 40 years of service managing safety at St. Regis and then International Paper, Bob retired in 2001, Bob's cremated remains will be co-mingled with Caryl's at a later date to be followed by a joint burial in Jacksonville. The Church family would like to extend their personal gratitude to the doctors and nurses of Willis Knighton Pierremont Intensive Care unit and the Post Acute Medical Specialists Center for the love, care and compassion provided to Bob and the family during the recent hospital stay. Robert was a member of the Mansfield United Methodist Church in Mansfield. A visitation with the family will be held at 10:00 a.m. until time of service. A celebration of life will be held at Mansfield United Methodist Church on July 11, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests you consider making a donation to the Mansfield United Methodist Church in honor of Robert Herring Church.