As a young boy he worked the river on mussel boats for his stepfather, O.L. Newsom. He attended school at LaFayette Street School, West Decatur, Lacey's Spring, Cotaco High and Decatur High School.
He was married to Margaret Ann Russell on December 15, 1957.
Bobby received an Associate of Science degree from John C. Calhoun Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Athens State College, where he received the A.E. Middlebrook Award for outstanding Major in Religion. He graduated from the Alabama Police Academy in Montgomery, the Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Washington D.C., and the U.S. Treasury Special Investigators Academy in Arlington, Va. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Bobby was an ordained Baptist minister and served as interim pastor and pastor of multiple local congregations but law enforcement was his passion. He served the community as a Decatur police officer and detective, then the nation as an ATF agent. After being injured in an explosion with the ATF, he retired and returned to his hometown where he eventually resumed working in law enforcement for the Department of Corrections then later the Board of Pardons and Parole for 15-plus years.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his stepfather, and his sister, Linda Ellen Bell.
Bobby is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret, and their three children, David Newsom of Hartselle, Debra Shelton of Decatur and Darren Newsom and wife, Crystal, of Elkmont. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Hamilton and Becky Johnson and her husband, Robert; and brother, Ottie Newsom and his wife, Jeanne.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to The Salvation Army, The Community Free Clinic or your favorite charity .
A visitation will be held Thursday, October 17, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home.
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