Robert Dale Ammons

Funeral services for Robert Dale Ammons of Collierville, Tennessee (a native and former resident of Many, Louisiana) were held at the Collierville Funeral Home on Saturday, March 13, followed by graveside services at Magnolia Cemetery. Family and friends gathered in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Max Ammons following internment.

Serving as pallbearers were his sons, Monte Ammons and Max Ammons; his grandson, Adam Ammons; and nephews, Spencer Redburn, David Ammons and Paul Ammons.

Mr. Ammons, who was born and raised in Many, died Wednesday, March 3 following a short illness. He was 26 days short of his 80th birthday.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie Wright Ammons (2018); his parents, Cliff and Ethel Ammons; a brother, Larry Ammons; and his in-laws, Melvin and Marguerite Wright, all of Many.

Survivors include his sons, Monte Ammons and wife, Benicia, of Johns Creek, Georgia and Max Ammons and wife, Katie, of Collierville; sisters, Dr. Dianna Johnson, PhD. and husband, Dr. Rusty Johnson, PhD. of Memphis; and Suzanne Ammons of Many; a brother, Kenneth Ammons and wife, Donna, of Many; a brother-in-law, Tommy Wright and wife, Connie of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren, Adam Ammons, Caroline Ammons, Abigail Ammons, Mary Claire Ammons and Beau Ammons; and nieces and nephews, Karen Warren, Spencer Redburn, Catherine Wright, Ellie Wright, David Ammons and Paul Ammons.

Lifetime:

Robert Ammons was the oldest of five children born to Cliff and Ethel Ammons of Many on March 29, 1941.

From a young age, strong work ethics and community service were instilled by his father, who was instrumental in developing Toledo Bend Lake and serving as a State Representative for the Louisiana Legislature.

Robert attended Many schools and graduated from Many High in 1960.

Following high school, he joined the Louisiana National Guard and completed Officer’s Candidate School at Camp Beauregard. He was most proud of his completion of Jump School in the Ranger Unit of the Guard and earned the title of Jumpmaster, known expert paratroopers in an Airborne Unit.

The completion of high school, also introduced him to his college years at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge (LSU), where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and earned a degree in Agri-Business.

Following college, he returned to Many and joined his father’s business, Help Real Estate, developing and selling properties on Toledo Bend Lake.

In 1966, he married Connie Sharon Wright and they enjoyed 52 years of life together before her death in May, 2018.

His career was established at Fort Polk in Leesville. He worked for many years in the Federal Employment Payroll Department.

In 1980, he left Fort Polk and he and his wife purchased Many Marine Center in his hometown.

In 1985, he returned to Fort Polk and help set up salary scales for federal employees before retiring. Around the same time, his wife retired as principal of Many Elementary School after serving for 21 years in the position.

During the Ammons’ lifetime together, they served as Co-Directors of the Miss Sabine Parish Pageant, and were active with the Sabine Parish Mardi Gras Krewe. Ammons served as King in 1993 with his Queen Cherry Williams.

They were always in the stands at Many High football games, cheering their sons on to victories and enjoying the lively atmosphere with friends.

A Many Jaycee member, he also served as President of the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce and was a faithful member and Sunday School teacher at Many’s First Baptist Church.

Robert served the Town of Many as a City Council member, after being elected by the citizens.

In his spare time, he took great pride in his Ponder Street home. Even though the couple lost their home to a massive fire, they rebuilt on the same lot and continued to enjoy life. He worked in the yard, nurturing his plants and flowers, and being recognized with numerous “Garden of the Month” awards. He also faithfully helped care for his widowed mother-in-law, Marguerite, who resided next door and then later at Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation until her death in 2016.

Friends and family were important to the couple and they doted on their grandchildren.

The couple moved to Collierville, Tennessee in 2015 to be close to their grandchildren. They resided at Heritage at Forest Hill-Irene, where they made many friends with both residents and staff. Following the death of Connie in 2018, Robert was very active in his support of the spiritual and physical well-being of other Heritage residents. In recognition of his efforts, the Heritage staff affectionately bestowed Robert with the title of “Mayor of Heritage”.

The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in memory of their beloved father @ http://giftfunds.stjude.org/Robert_D_Ammons