Robert Leslie "Bobby" Mays

Treasured friend and family to so many, Robert Leslie Mays (Bobby) entered into the presence of the Lord on January 10, 2026, at the Tippah County Hospital. Born on October 3, 1943, Bobby graduated from Ripley High School in 1961 and continued his education at the University of Mississippi with a degree in Pharmacy while being a proud member of Sigma Nu fraternity. After college, he moved to South Dakota to work and was a commissioned Captain in the US Public Health Service to serve the Sioux people at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. In 1971, he moved back to Ripley to work at City Drug on the square and subsequently opened Ripley Drug Company in 1977. He was a longstanding member of the First Methodist Church in Ripley and an active member of the Rotary Club. Anyone who met Bobby knew that he was so much more than dates and activities... He was an advocate and true friend. He loved Tippah County, his community, and the people in it, and worked to make it a better place. He helped provide a park for all to enjoy and his generosity provided scholarships to help others through education. His favorite time of year was Halloween, as was obvious by the decorations in his yard, and he loved sharing that excitement with young and old at his home. He was a friend to Blue Mountain College. He was so proud of the Tippah County Hospital, its new facility, and the care it provided. Bobby loved investing in people - getting to know them and about them. He loved the drug store because of the service it provided Ripley, but he loved it more as it provided a place to "sit and visit." He did so much for so many - most of which we will never know, but he wouldn't have had it any other way. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Louise Mays, and his sister, Betty Mays Harbison. He will continue to be remembered by his niece, Beth Kakales (John), and his brother-in-law, Charles Harbison (Sandy), as well as his "grand" niece, Mary Elizabeth McCollum (Clark), and his "grand" nephew, John Matthew Kakales (Beth), as well as a new "great-grand" nephew, CJ McCollum. In addition to his family, he'll be remembered by so many dear friends and all the women at work who made his life wonderful. Officiated by: Dr. Patrick Chapman and Rev.Dr. Mark Nail The family requests that donations be directed to the First Methodist Church Ripley or the Tippah County Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship.

Robert Leslie "Bobby" Mays

October 3, 1943 - January 10, 2026