Bobby Ray Gatewood

Bobby Ray Gatewood, 85, passed away Friday, June 12th at UNC Rockingham Hospital.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 11:00am in the Fair Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held Monday, June 15th at Fair Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00pm. Burial will follow the service at Goodwill Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 4299 Morgan Ford Road, Ridgeway, VA.

Bobby was born in Rockingham County, February 8, 1941 to the late Walter Gatewood and Ola Hooker Gatewood. He retired after 25 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Rockingham County. He was a man of dedication to his work. He also loved taking family vacation to the mountains, especially Gatlinburg, TN.

His grandchildren and great grandchildren were the “Apple of his eye.” He went to great lengths to make sure they got wherever they needed to go, whenever they needed to get there and earned the name “Pa’s Taxi Service”.

Bobby never met a stranger. Growing up, he carried the nicknames “Smiley” and “Slick”. Even after suffering his first stroke in August 2021, which resulted in expressive aphasia and challenged his ability to communicate verbally, Bobby remained full of joy. His smile and laughter persisted as he tried to communicate with whomever. During his four years at Eden Rehab (formally known as the Brian Center) he was often seen strolling up and down the halls or sitting in the hall next to the Nurse’s Station greeting people as they came into the Rehab or possibly napping. He earned the name “Hall Monitor”

Bobby is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 65 years, Thelma Bell Gatewood, daughter Karen Sue Gatewood Bullins; sons Ray Gatewood (Tanya), Darren Gatewood (Lisa); grandchildren, Kellie Meeks (Darren), Garrett Gatewood and Jackson Gatewood (girlfriend Lacie Carter); great-grandchildren, Tinleigh Meeks and Lyndsey Meeks; twin sister Betty Ashworth (Earl), numerous nieces and nephews, 

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his brother J.T. Gatewood; sisters, Ola Lester and Effie Snody.

The family wants to extend a Thank You to Bobby’s roommate, Robert Webb. They also want to send a special thanks to the staff and residents of Eden Rehab and Nursing Center for the kindness and support to Bobby; Lynn Clifton, Erica Cooke, Simone, Jerry, Eric, Karen, Jennifer and Gail.

Other than visitation night the family will receive visitors at the home of Bobby's son, Darren Gatewood and wife Lisa.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com