John A. Roby

On March 16th, 2025, John Allen Roby passed from life into death. John was born on March 15th, 1943, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and lived a life filled with love, kindness, and devotion to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Ann; his two daughters, Jana Roby Heimer (Bill), of Brandon; Catherine Roby Moore (Phillip) of Collinsville; two granddaughters, Anna Grace and Emma Heimer of Brandon; and brother, Doug Roby of Brandon. He is preceded in death by his parents, Allen Douglas Roby and Grace Cooper Roby, his sister, Dana Roby Moore, and nephew Allen Douglas Roby II.

John graduated from Forest High School in 1961, East Central Community College, and Mississippi State University, with a degree in poultry science. He went to work for his uncle in Connecticut where he met his wife Ann (Annelise). They were married on August 17, 1968. After living in the northeast for several years, he returned to his hometown of Forest where he worked in the chicken industry until his retirement. He was an avid golfer, and bled maroon and white. He was a member of the Forest Lions Club, serving as secretary and treasurer. He was a lifelong member of Forest Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and on the audio team. He happily served as a sideline chain gang operator then scoreboard operator at the Forest High School home football games for 35 years.

John enjoyed supporting his granddaughters in all of their activities. He was immensely proud of his daughters and granddaughters and their accomplishments. When he was able, he attended every Mississippi State game that happened to be in season. When he couldn’t attend, he was there in spirit through television. He didn’t meet a stranger and always had something funny to say.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 19 from 12:00-2:00 pm at Forest Baptist Church under the direction of OTT & LEE Funeral Home. The service will be held at Forest Baptist Church at 2:00. Interment will be at Eastern Cemetery

Pallbearers: Jimmy Atwood, James Graham, James Thompson, Larkin Vance, Gene Walker, and John Billy Winstead.

Honorary pallbearers: Carl Howard Fountain, R.J. Gatewood, Robert Newell, Milton Noblin and Forest Lions Club

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Forest Baptist Church Renovation Fund, 439 East 1st Street, Forest, MS, 39074

The family would like to thank the medical team at St. Dominic's, Beverly and Milton Noblin, Kristin Shelley, and Accent Home Health, and Dr. John Paul Lee.