Bobby was born on May 5, 1936, in Gate City, Virginia to Wesley and Lena (Rogers) Sluss. He received his bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State University in 1962 after an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force in 1958. Bobby spent his 36-year career working for Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tennessee before retiring in 1998.
On December 15, 1962, he married Brenda Carolyn Cole of Piney Flats, Tennessee. They raised two daughters, Lea and Amanda, and one son, Robert. Bobby’s job with Eastman transferred the family and gave them lifelong memories of living in Libertyville, IL; Norfolk, MA; Kingsport, TN; Plymouth, MI; and Nashville, TN.
Bobby’s known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. He never knew a stranger. Bobby had a passion for the games of golf and football, and taught his children at an early age to be avid sports fans. While living in Norfolk, he proudly served as a member of the Norfolk Lyons Club of Massachusetts, a Pop Warner Football coach, and a Little League Baseball coach. He enjoyed relaxing with a Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and was a long-time member of the honored Tennessee Squire Association.
Throughout his time residing in Middle Tennessee, Bobby was a member of the Brentwood United Methodist Church and the Wesley Forum Sunday School class.
Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Wesley, his mother, Lena, and sister, Joretta (Sluss) Cross. He is survived by his wife Brenda, his three children, Lea Sluss, Robert Sluss and Amanda (Sluss) Gilchrist. He was godfather to Katie (Watts) Thomson and an honorary “uncle” to many.
A private funeral service will be held at the Brentwood United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Brentwood United Methodist Church (online at www.bumc.net/give or donations can be mailed to Finance Dept., 309 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN 37027) and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (online at www.VanderbiltHealth.org/vanderbilt-university-medical-center-giving or donations can be mailed to Donor Services, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203).
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