Robert McCullough Rock

Robert ‘Bob’ M. Rock of Nashville Tennessee passed away May 18th, 2022, at the age of 97. Bob was born and raised in Botetourt County VA. He joined the Army Air Force in April 1943 and was a radio operator and gunner on B-17s for 35 missions over Germany.

While stationed at Smyrna Air Base in 1945, he met his beloved wife, Sarah. After leaving the service, Bob and Sarah were married in 1946 and remained so for 65 years, until Sarah’s passing in 2011.

Bob was employed as office manager and bookkeeper for Southern States Asphalt Company/Ashland Oil for 43 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Donelson for 70 years, serving as a Children’s department Sunday School teacher and a deacon for many years.

Bob was preceded in death by wife Sarah (Whitehead), his parents, Gladys and Herman Rock, and by brothers Herman, Jr., William, Harold and Leonard, and granddaughter Jami Payne Huling.

He is survived by brother Richard (Janet) and sister Kathryn Weddle (Dewey dec); children Vicki Rock Payne, Robert Jr. (Deborah), and Michael (Rebecca). He had eight grandchildren, David Payne (Jody), Jami Payne Huling (dec), Kevin Rock (Danielle), Rebecca Rock Crowder (Roy), Andrea Rock Gilbert and Ethan Rock. He also has ten great-grandchildren, Tesla Huling Hinken (Josh), Keith Anderson, Jeric Huling, Hailey Stanton, Cal Payne, Alexis Rock, Cecilia Crowder, Aubrey Gilbert, Miriam Crowder, and Connor Gilbert.

A gathering of family & friends for Robert will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2022, from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM at Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 535 Shute Ln, Old Hickory, TN 37138, followed by a celebration of life from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

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