Bobby Gene Priest

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Bobby G. Priest, of Darbun, who peacefully passed into God's presence on Monday, September 28, 2026. Interment will follow at Foxworth Cemetery. Bro. Gerald Broom will officiate the services.

The Priest family will receive guests on Thursday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia.

Bobby was born in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, to Carl Priest and Nelma Leake Priest on August 31, 1936. He later moved to Darbun, Mississippi where he lived for the past 50 years. He became a skilled pipeline welder and spent 30 years as a welding foreman for McDermott, Inc. Upon semi-retirement, he continued working for several more years under contract as a welding inspector.

Bobby’s favorite pastime and passion was for everything deer hunting. Like most avid deer hunters, he was always preparing for the next season to open. Bobby was also a highly skilled carpenter and was always building something useful.

For many years, Bobby was a dedicated member of the Gideon Ministry. He participated in countless Bible distributions and was active in the prison ministry as well. He was a faithful member of Magee's Creek Baptist Church in Walthall County, where he served as a deacon.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jerry Forbes Priest; one child, Angela Priest; and one brother, Rusty Priest.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Priest; children Ann Gutierrez (Tavio), Gina Stovall (Tra), Tommy Priest; grandchildren William Wheat (April), Connell Gutierrez, Savannah Stovall, Jolynn Stovall; great-grandchild Wyatt Wheat; and three brothers Carl Priest, Mike Priest, and Ken Priest.

Mr. Priest will be carried to his final resting place by those honored to serve as Pallbearers: William Wheat, Connell Gutierrez, Chuck Whitehead, Doyle Ball, Jacob Morgan, and Keith Armstrong.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Gary Hill, Mike Dykes, J.C. Stringer, Hershel Anderson, and Johnny Kroner.

In Lieu of Flowers the family requests donations be made to the Gideon Ministry.

Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.