Obituary: Lawrence “Bob” Searles
Lawrence “Bob” Searles, 91, of Bolivar, departed this life on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Bolivar General Hospital. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, October 16, 2026, at Bolivar Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Bolivar, TN, starting at 1:00 PM.
Lawrence Robert Searles was born on Wednesday, May 15, 1935, to the late Charles Burr Searles and Linnie Mullins Searles in Columbus, OH. Mr. Searles married Bobbie Nowell on Saturday, September 2, 1995. He worked as an Engineer in the automotive industry for many years. Mr. Searles was a very active member of the Portageville First Baptist Church in Portageville, MO, and was part of the church’s “Keenagers” group. He was a former president of the Jaycees. Bob was an outdoor enthusiast, an avid sports fan, and loved John Deere stuff. He was a resident of Portageville, MO for many years until moving to Bolivar to be near his family.
Mr. Searles is survived by his loving wife, Bobbie Searles of Bolivar, TN; a son, Larry Searles (Debbie) of Bolivar, TN; two daughers, Susan Lavine (Dave) of Rockledge, FL, and Wanda Grantham (Mike) of Middleton, TN; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and his smart dog companion for seventeen years, “Spots”.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his five siblings, and a great-grandson, Seth Searles.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wheelchair Ministry at Bolivar Methodist Church.
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Bolivar, Tennessee.
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