John Mobley

Johnie Ray Mobley, 81, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday May 27, 2023, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR.

John was born August 16, 1941, in Piggott, Arkansas to the late John Thomas and Gladys Moseley Mobley. He graduated from Piggott High School in 1959 and went on to enlist in the United States Air Force, becoming a Top-Secret Clearance Cryptographer. John thought back fondly and often of his time in England during his service.

After leaving the Air Force, John moved to St. Louis to start his career with General Motors. During this time, John met and fell in love with his wife of 52 years, Shirley Ann Hooks, marrying September 5, 1970, in Crossett, AR.

John soon after decided to pursue higher education, graduating from University of Missouri, St. Louis in 1976, and starting his health care career. He began in Personnel with Christian Hospitals NW and NE from 1976 to 1979 before making the big move to Sikeston, MO, where he established the Personnel Department and wrote the first Personnel Policy Manual for Missouri Delta Medical Center. He retired in 2009 as Senior Vice President.

Sikeston, MO was the town that helped him raise a family, build a long and successful career, and brought so much that he loved into his life. He gave back to that community in many charitable and local endeavors. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he was ordained as Deacon and First Methodist Church, becoming a member of lamplighters, Church Council and President of UMM. He also served two terms as President of the Kiwanis Club, Member of the Library Board during construction of the new building, a past board member of the Copper Dome Society of Southeast Missouri State University, and past President of the Missouri Society of Human Resource Association of the Missouri Hospital Associations. John was also appointed by Governor John Ashcroft as a charter member of the Missouri Women’s Council.

He spent his twilight years in St. Peters, MO, enjoying time with his granddaughters he loved so dearly. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, St. Charles, MO.

John cared deeply about his family and friends. He was a man of strong convictions, ready to share his thoughts and even quicker to make a stranger into a friend. John was also an avid sports fan, happy to chat about the latest Mizzou Tigers or Cardinals game and enjoyed every trip to the ballpark.

John was predeceased by his parents, and his three siblings Robert Harris Mobley, Thomas Edwin Mobley, and Betty Ruth Johnson.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Ann Hooks Mobley; son John David Mobley and wife Rachel Thackeray of South Orange, NJ; daughter Melissa Ann Mobley Weissler and husband Bradley Weissler of St. Charles, MO; and his two beloved granddaughters Charlotte Rose and Lucy Louise Weissler. He is also survived by his sister Sue Featherston of Ellisville, MO, brother-in-law Tommy Hooks of Crossett, AR, two nephews, six nieces, and several great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, MO. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel with Bro. Dewayne Coleman and Pastor Paullester Walker, officiating.

A private family interment will follow at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO with military honors.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: MDMC Retirement Lunch Group, Charles Ancell, Blair Moran, Dr. Don Cento, Dr. Fred Thornton, Dr. Linza Killion, Dr. Bill Shell, Dr. Riyadh Tellow and Larry Layton; Former Employee Lunch Group, Charles White, Jim Barnes, Pat Jones, Bob Stinnett, Dr. Linza Killion and Larry Layton; The Old Goats Group, Roger Sherman, Bill Priday, Murray Sullivan and Blair Moran.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Missouri Delta Medical Center, Sikeston Public Library or Spread Hope Now.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com for the Mobley family.