Robert Ray "Bob" Hunley

Robert Ray “Bob” Hunley, 87, of Speedwell, Tennessee went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 15, 2026, after a long illness and while surrounded by his family. He was born in Speedwell on September 8, 1939 and was the son of the late Clay and Minnie Jessie Hunley.

Bob worked on his family’s farm with his dad from childhood and attended Powell Valley School where played basketball for the Indians. Once, while in school, Haynes Flat Church held revival during school time and his teachers allowed students to attend if they wanted to. Bob said he went just to get out of class, but when the preacher preached, God spoke to his heart and put conviction in his soul. When the alter call came, he went and was saved by the grace of God at an early age. After getting saved, he cleaned Flatwoods Freewill Baptist Church and earned enough money to eventually buy his first Bible.

Bob was always a very hard worker, moving his young family to Knoxville where he worked at Knoxville Concrete Pipe Company until it closed. Then headed his family north to Michigan, taking a job with Monroe Steel Casting where he worked until taking a job with the Dana Corporation where he worked in auto parts manufacturing until it closed. From there, he worked as a security guard until he was hired by Sister’s Servants IHM, where he eventually retired from.

Coon hunting and fishing were his favorite things to do. He raised coon dogs and he and his sons had dogs featured in the American Cooner and Full Cry hunting magazines. He owned a fishing boat, which he and his children loved taking out on Lake Erie to fish for walleye and perch, catching large amounts of fish and enjoying fish fries afterwards. They attended Bible Fellowship Church, where he was Sunday School Superintendent and was the grounds keeper there, and at Maybe Camp where he served as a board member also. Bob was always willing to lend a helping hand for those in need. Then, after 38 years in Michigan, he and Geneva moved back to Tennessee to help take care of his aging mother, Minnie, who lived to 102 years old.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Robert Adrian Hunley; brothers, George Donald Hunley, Ralph Hunley, James Hunley, Jerry Hunley and Elbert Hunley; and daughter-in-law, Jennifer Baker Hunley.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Geneva Powers Hunley; children, Robert Randy Hunley and wife, Sharon, Kenneth Duane Hunley and wife, Julie, Sharon Warren and husband, Steve, Angela Steward and husband Greg, and Anthony Hunley; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Mary Ethel Hemmings, Susie Gilbert and Marie Coleman; brother, Johnny Hunley; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 19, at Arnett & Steele Valley Chapel with Rev. James “Jimmy” Branscomb and Rev. Dewayne “Kojak” Graves. Music will be by the Glory Road Boys. Graveside interment services will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 20 at Flatwoods Cemetery in Speedwell. Pallbearers will be Jason, Kaleb, Garrett, Andrew, Timmy, Marty, Steve, Greg, Logan and Christopher.

Bob’s family requests that no live flowers or strong scented items be sent to the funeral home or their home due to allergies that can cause asthma attacks, and suggests donations to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 5:00 PM until funeral hour at 7:00 PM at Arnett & Steele Valley Chapel in Harrogate, which is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Bob Hunley.