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In Memory Of Our Poets

Robert "Bobby" Rogers Jolly (1938-2015) - Class Of 1956

Robert "Bobby" Rogers Jolly, Sr., age 77, a lifelong resident of Montgomery, Alabama died peacefully on October 17, 2015, at his home surrounded by his most precious loved ones. Bobby is preceded in death by his parents Joseph D. Jolly and Laura Gayle Rogers Jolly, and by his daughter Margaret Clayton Jolly. He is survived by his lovely wife Renate Liebhart Jolly, his son Robert R. Jolly, Jr. (Mary Elaine Lark Jolly), his three grandchildren Robert Rogers Jolly, III, Ruth Elaine Jolly, and Mary Lawson Jolly, his four stepchildren Lynne Marriott, Sonya Marriott Gager-Thompksinson, Ralph Marriott, and Adriano Pola, and his brothers Philip C. Jolly and Joseph D. Jolly, Jr and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bobby grew up in Montgomery and graduated from Lanier High School in 1956. He graduated from The University of Alabama in 1960 and went on to enjoy a fruitful sales career in the furniture industry, winning numerous national sales achievement awards with Kimble International, Inc. During his career what Bobby enjoyed most were the close friendships that he developed with his dealers, clients and co-workers. Bobby remained physically fit until his diagnosis, playing tennis with his buddies at Montgomery Country Club and working out several times a week for most of his adult life. Bobby had many interests including Alabama Football, deer and bird hunting, gardening, international travel, and researching and investing in the stock market. Bobby retired in 2000 to pursue his real passion- designing, crafting, building, and installing what he referred to as "projects". His projects ranged from furniture design and construction, to complicated home improvement and automobile and motorcycle engine and body repair and rebuilding. Bobby was truly a humble renaissance man. There was literally nothing he couldn't build. All of his close friends and family members have at least one story about something that Bobby built, repaired or installed for them. Bobby was so generous with his time and talents and maintained life-long friendships with his childhood friends, tennis buddies and neighbors. He was exceedingly proud of his three grandchildren and was looking forward to "grandparents' weekend" at his grandson's boarding school, Woodberry Forest School in Virginia. Bobby adored his daughter in law, Mary Elaine, telling her that he loved her every time they spoke and teaching her some of his home improvement skills. Bobby was the ultimate role model for his only child, Robert. Robert was his pride and joy and Bobby taught Robert by example the importance of honesty, integrity and character, and set him on a path towards a successful career in business. The last fifteen years of Bobby's life were perhaps the most complete, having met and married German born and raised Renate Liebhart Jolly. The couple met in Orange Beach, Alabama and maintained a residence there throughout their marriage, dividing their time between the Coast and Montgomery. Renate taught Bobby how to speak German and the couple made many trips to Europe to visit Renate's four children and their extended families. Renate was a true companion and servant until the end, never leaving Bobby's side.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to The First United Methodist Church of Montgomery or the Stegall Seminary Scholarship Foundation.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday October 20, 2015 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church with Dr. R. Lawson Bryan and Dr. Karl K. Stegall officiating. Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church one hour prior to the service.

Graveside Service will follow at Greenwood Serenity Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers include Robert R. Jolly, Jr., Robert R. Jolly, III, Philip C. Jolly, Joseph D. Jolly, Jr., Stephen C. Rogers, Earl Garner, Thomas Crews, Jack (Bootsie) Thorington, William I. Hill, and William E. Lark. Honorary Pallbearers include Bill Marks, Alan Rosenthal, Ray Burdeshaw. Richard Ball, Bonner Engelhardt, Charles Nicrosi, Joe Mussafer, Maurice Mussafer, Jerry Moore, Wilbur Hufham, John Hixon, John Stallings, and Tranum Fitzpatrick.

Published in the MontgomeryAdvertiser.com on Oct. 20, 2015.