Robert S. Yarbrough

Robert Spence Yarbrough, born October 30, 1942, son of Margaret Spence Yarbrough Bickerstaff and the late R.T. Yarbrough, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025. Robert was born in Columbus, Georgia and graduated from Columbus High School in 1960. From an early age, Robert’s athletic skills were evident as he excelled in all sports. He jumped 21’ 2” in the long jump and was even offered a scholarship to play basketball at Memphis State University. Robert played basketball for one year at Columbus College (now Columbus State University), before ultimately choosing to attend The University of Georgia, where he became a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, participated in intramural sports and cheered on the Georgia Bulldogs.

Robert loved the game of golf. His passion for the sport was known by all and on any given Saturday, you’d find him playing a round (or two) in the Big Group at The Country Club of Columbus. Many of his fondest memories were taking golf trips with some of his closest friends and playing well-renowned courses in North Carolina, Scotland and Ireland. Robert had many accomplishments on the golf course, including making seven holes in one over the course of his life.

“Papa” was especially proud of his children, grandchildren, and their families. He was happiest watching them compete and loved cheering them on at sporting events, performances, school plays, and any other place he could support them. He enthusiastically bragged about each of them at every opportunity.

Robert is predeceased by his wife, Sara Louise Yarbrough, his grandson, Johnson Wade Yarbrough, Jr., his father, R.T. Yarbrough and his nephew, Donald Spence Moore. He is survived by his mother, Margaret Spence Yarbrough Bickerstaff, his aunt, Elizabeth Spence Jackson, his siblings, Anita Y. Sandefur (and her late husband Joseph W.), Judith Y. Moore (and her late husband Donald E.) and Ronald Lynn Yarbrough (Brenda). Additionally surviving are his daughter, Ashley Foss Holt (John), former wife, Gayle Johnson Yarbrough and their sons AC Hobbs Yarbrough (Anna Kristin), Robert Spence Yarbrough, Jr. (Anne Louise) and Johnson Wade Yarbrough. He is survived by his grandchildren, Margaret Couldwell Holt Atkinson (Josh), Benjamin Hines Holt (Emily), Dorothy Morgan Holt, Cadman Coker Yarbrough, Lillian Cline Yarbrough, Eleanor Hobbs Yarbrough, Anne Marshall Yarbrough and Robert Spence Yarbrough, III.

The family would like to thank Columbus Hospice’s services, his nurse Melanie Weatherholtz and dear caregivers, Michael Armstrong, Serita Borders, Beverly Ford, Lucretia Hubbard, Raymond Leonard, Donny Payne,

Linda Phillips and Samuel Smith for being so extremely loving and caring to our father.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 24 at 2:00 pm in Turner Chapel at St. Luke Church. The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm in Stockwell Hall. A private burial will follow at Parkhill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Haskins Foundation, a non-profit organization established to support the Fred Haskins Commission and promote collegiate golf for young men and women in the United States. www.haskinsfoundation.org