Bob is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patsy (Carroll) Hipps and their three children, Beth (Rondy) Smith, Cam (Rita) Hipps and Carol Bullard (Bill Horn); six grandchildren, Lisa (Ben) Till, Diana (Jason) Jones, Andy (Abby) Hipps, Austin (Jessi) Hipps, Mary Alice Bullard, and Reese Bullard; and great grandchildren, Coleman and Henry Till, Miller and Price Jones, Laurel Jane and Ezra Hipps and Violet Hipps; brothers Madison, Levoie, Chris, and David Hipps; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Bob was one of 12 children born to Madison and Lucy Hipps. He was born on July 12, 1932 in Gaston County, North Carolina. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Allene Grissom and Frances Honeycutt and brothers Elgin, Herman, Melvin, Richard and John.
Bob graduated from Belmont High School in 1950 and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His family was stationed in Mississippi, New Mexico, the Philippines, Germany and Florida. Upon retirement from active duty, he and Patsy settled in Montgomery where he worked 15 more years at Maxwell Air Force Base as a civil servant.
Bob was a faithful member of Catoma Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and Church Training for many years. He served on the baptism committee and there were not very many Sundays you didn’t see him on the front pew worshiping. He is remembered by so many as the “gum man.” Some may say it was just a piece of gum but not when Mr. Bob gave it to you! Generations of people knew that piece of gum from Mr. Bob was a sign you were loved and prayed for! In addition to his gum, he was loved for his enthusiastic “Amen” during church, his deep singing voice and the way he made you feel in his presence.
Visitation and Services for Bob will begin at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at Leak Memory Chapel with Brother Mike Golson officiating. Pallbearers with be Bob’s grandsons and great grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Catoma Baptist Church, 4300 Old Selma Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36108 or to the Catoma Volunteer Fire Department, 50 Booth Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36108.
The family would like to thank Ms Narvie Gandy who took such wonderful care of Bob at home and the amazing staff at John Knox Manor Nursing Home who cared for him there.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIOCOMPARTA
v.1.11.6