Bobbie Tilford Roach

A Final Tribute to a life well lived

Bobbie Tilford Roach was born on December 8, 1936 in Smartt, Tennessee to the marital union of Benjamin Roach, Jr. and Eula Biles Roach. Bobbie was the youngest of six children and was just three years old when his mother died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 40. He and his siblings were immediately taken in and reared by their grandparents, Joe M. Biles and Mary Savage Spurlock Biles and along with his sisters, Jo Melvin (Tee) and Mary lived with and cared for them for the rest of their lives. Bobbie attended the Hiawassee School in Morrison, Tennessee and one of his earliest memories was being baptized at nearby Taylor Creek.

Bobbie began working on the family farm early in life along with Grandpa Biles, and brothers, Joe Ben (J.B.), Lytle and Billy who passed away at 18 years of age. When J.B. and Lytle moved away, Bobbie shouldered a greater responsibility of running the farm while working for multiple nurseries including the Boyd Brothers Nursey in Morrison, Tennessee. Bobbie came home every evening from his nursery work, changed clothes, and marched to the barn where he milked the cows and slopped the hogs as well as completing the rest of his farm duties. He eventually retired from nursery work and became a full-time farmer again.

He was a hardworking, God-fearing man with a pleasant demeanor who enjoyed laughing and having fun. He loved family and his solitude at the same time. After Grandma Mary passed away, Bobbie, Tee and Mary remained absolutely devoted to each other and never had a bad thing to say about one another or anyone else. In later years, Bobbie became prolific at puzzle and word search solving and challenged himself every day to complete one or both and was happy when someone wanted to solve a puzzle with him. He enjoyed entertaining his Ohio cousins and looked forward to their visits with him in Smartt as well as visiting with them in Cincinnati and traveling with them to family reunions.

Bobbie was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Roach, Jr. and Eula Biles Roach; brothers, Joe Ben (J.B.), Billy and Lytle Roach;  sisters, Jo Melvin (Tee) and Mary Florence Roach and a younger sister (who died shortly after birth); grandparents, Joe M. Biles, Florence Ashley Biles and Mary Savage Spurlock Biles. Bobbie was also preceded in death by his very dear and special friend and companion, Lottie Mae Fisk.

Bobbie is survived by his loving and devoted cousins (more like younger brothers and sisters), Carlos P. Gray, Sr. (Gloria), Darlene Gray, Lynette (Linnie) Gray Jackson and Rodney C. Gray all from Cincinnati, Ohio. Bobbie is also survived by Eleanor Boyd Bryan and family. When his sister Mary passed away in 2009, Bobbie asked Eleanor not to forget about him, which she never did. Eleanor faithfully helped him whenever he called upon her and he looked upon her as the niece he never had. Carlos, Darlene, Linnie, Rodney and Eleanor were with Bobbie all the way to the end.

Bobbie, thank you for being you and thank you for all the good times. We love you and will miss you always. Rest well...our brother Bobbie...rest well.

The family of Bobbie Roach wishes to thank everyone for their expressions of love and kindness extended to us during our bereavement. We would also like to give special thanks to Steve and Eleanor Boyd Bryan for their many years of support and to those who cared for Bobbie in the healthcare arena including; Adoration Home Health, Gentiva Hospice, Willow Branch Health and Rehabilitation, McMinnville, Tennessee and Provident Home Care, Manchester, Tennessee. May God through His grace continue to bless you all. Please keep us in your prayers.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, August 30, 2025 in High’s Chapel with Eugene Wilkerson officiating. Burial will follow at Old Philadelphia Cemetery in Warren County. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at High’s.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.