Mr. Robert “Bobby” Lee Oakley

February 18, 1935 - February 22, 2021

This obituary is posted as a courtesy to local family and friends. Middendorf, SC Mr. Robert “Bobby” Lee Oakley, age 86, entered into rest on Monday, February 22, 2021. Graveside services will be 3:00 PM Thursday at Chatham Hill Memorial Gardens by Pastor Don Rhyne and Pastor Gary Compton. The family will greet friends following the service at the cemetery. The family will also hold a celebration of life gathering at a later date. All in attendance are asked to practice social distancing and follow covid-19 precautions. Mr. Oakley was born February 18, 1935 in Cheraw, SC a son of the late Arthur and Gladys Davidson Oakley. Bobby was a proud Army veteran who served in the Korean War and was a member of the Chesterfield American Legion Post 74. He was a barber at Stewart's Barber Shop in Hartsville, SC for many years. He then worked as a longtime employee of PPM. He would later retire from H.B. Robinson unit 1 at the age of 77. Bobby loved to work in his garden where he grew beautiful flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Known for his beautiful gardens, he enjoyed giving away the fruits and vegetables he had grown with pride and joy. Whether he was driving his Kubota tractor or driving his golf cart around his beloved “plantation”, he would quickly stop to sit around and chat with his many friends that would stop by to say hey. Bobby’s greatest love was his family, whom he cherished and loved. Even with the great amount of love he had for everyone in his family, his grandson Brandon Lee was his entire world. In addition to his parents, Mr. Oakley was also preceded in death by his brothers; David Oakley, and John Oakley; sisters, Jewel Freeman, Peggy Lyon, Bernice Rivers, Dorothy Oakley. Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years Virginia Johnson Oakley of the home; daughter, Kathy Walters and her husband Wes Walters, whom Bobby loved like a son, of Middendorf, SC; grandson, Brandon Walters of Middendorf, SC; numerous nieces and nephews; special cousins, Helen Blanton of Society Hill, SC, Henry B. Moree of Sellers, SC; and his beloved feline companion, Bow. The family would also like to express a big thank you to all of Bobby’s buddies and Middendorf Catoe brothers. He held a special place in his heart for each and every one of them. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) of Chesterfield, SC is serving the Oakley family. To view Mr. Oakley’s tribute video please visit: https://www.mrcfuneralhome.com/obituary/RobertBobbyLee-Oakley