Robert Murphree Overbey

Robert Murphree Overbey (also known as Bob) passed from this life on Saturday, July 27, 2024. He loyally and honorably served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1981. He earned his B.A. near the end of his service, and he continued to work in communications (which was one of his many specialties while in the military) for several different companies after his retirement.

Always an artist, tinkerer, and history buff, two of his hobbies after retirement were restoring old mannequins and various toys. Some were very life like, and, at times, his family would find it both creepy and amusing, but he always used his creative talent in unique ways. An example of this unique talent can be seen in two of his favorite restoration projects that he donated to the Lewis and Clark Museum located in his childhood home of Hohenwald, Tennessee. They are beautiful likenesses of Sacagawea and her papoose.

In his current community and church, he was known for being a kind, humble, giving, and quiet man. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much, and in his later years his home became the hub for almost all family gatherings and activities. It was dubbed “The Gathering Place.”

He is survived by his loving children Tamathy Williams, Stephanie Healy, Mary Uzzell, and R. Todd Overbey, and beloved mother of his children and lifelong friend Shirley Jarrett (Thompson) (Overbey, 1956-1977). Grandchildren: Courtney Overbey, Kyle Healy, Jeremy Williams (Kristen), Kevin Healy (Jessica), Joey Overbey (Megan), Ricky Healy, and Jacob Uzzell, four great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Herbert Overbey Sr. and Myrtle Estelle Murphree Overbey; brother, Joe Herbert Overbey Jr.; sisters, Margarite Hinson, Annabel Brown, and Eleanor Brown; and a great granddaughter, Lillian Nicole Healy.

Our loss is Heaven’s gain, and his family and loved ones will miss him dearly. However, even in our grief, we know we can also rejoice because the Heavenly Father has called him home.

Visitation will be Thursday August 1, 2024 at 1:00pm at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, AR, 72117. A Celebration of Robert Murphree Overbey’s Life will follow at 2:00pm with Dennis Gulledge officiating. Family will hold a private burial at a later date in Tennessee.