1941-2022

Bobby Gene Dollarhyde, 81, passed away Monday, September 12, 2022, at his home near Grand Saline, surrounded by his wife Bennie, his daughter Bobigene, son-in-law Steve, and his hospice nurse, Rhonda. He had been battling diabetes complications and a heart condition for many months.

He was born July 24, 1941, in Shinewell, Oklahoma, to parents John Virgil and Hattie Dollarhide. He grew up in Foreman, Arkansas, where he attended school and excelled in football and track. He spent a great deal of time at his Grandma Belle Steven’s home a few miles away, and she greatly influenced his future lifestyle. He moved to Dallas in the late 50’s, where he worked, and later met the love of his life, Bennie Harris, of Terrell. The couple were married January 25, 1959.

Bobby became a butcher by trade and worked for Brookshire’s Grocery, Affiliated Food Stores, Piggly- Wiggly, and other independent food stores as a butcher and market manager for more than 30 years, working in Terrell, Wills Point, Paris, Greenville, Mineola, Edgewood, and Grand Saline. He was the first market manager for the Grand Saline Brookshire’s store when it opened in 1970. In later years, Bobby worked as an independent home improvement “handy man,” and worked at home doing what he loved best, farming and ranching.

The family lived in Terrell for 11 years, then moved to Grand Saline in 1970, when Bobby was transferred by Brookshire’s to their new store as market manager. They established their present home in 1974, northwest of Grand Saline on the old and infamous “Clark’s Ferry Road”, a few miles north of the Sabine River. They lived there for 48-plus years, and raised their two daughters, Benegene and Bobigene, both of whom graduated from Grand Saline High School.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James Dollarhide, and two sisters, Cindy Dollarhide and Ruby Brown. He was affiliated with Worldwide Church of the Living God.

Survivors include his wife and soulmate, Bennie of 63-plus years; two daughters, Benegene Kirkpatrick (Don) and Bobigene Bratcher (Steve); all of Grand Saline; brothers, Eddie of Garland; John C of Alba; Wayne of Mineola; Jerry of Ohio, and Perry of Texarkana; One sister, Lois Carver (Edward Akins) of Fruitvale; Five grand-children: Rick Jereme Bell (Aliah) of Oregon; Stacy Kirkpatrick Zajac of Addison; Michael Perry Simmons (Amy), and Bobby Joseph Simmons (Amanda) all of Grand Saline, and Brandon Kirkpatrick (Hannah) of Lindale; 13 great grandchildren – Asher; Atreyu; Oliver; Nehemiah; Benjamin; Simon; Josephine, and Easton Simmons; Gemma Reed and Mara Kate Kirkpatrick, and two step-greats, Dylan Starnes and Kenzie Prock, and numerous nephews nieces and other relatives in the area.

Bobby was very well known and liked in his community and various workplaces. He was regarded as very honest and hardworking, and a man of impeccable integrity. He was a “workaholic,” and never took much leisure time for personal hobbies or social activities! His love was building or fixing something, and working on his “ranch” at home, and he dedicated his entire life to that, continually working to improve his “place”! In 2010, he transformed his double garage into a beautiful and unique western and southwest motif den for family gatherings and holidays.

Bobby was a God-fearing man who read his Bible daily until recent failing eyesight prevented it. He had a dry humor that was not known by everyone, but a magnetic personality that always seemed to win everyone over. He has left a huge gap in his family that cannot be filled, and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

It was time to dismount Cowboy, but now you can “get back in the saddle” in a much better place!

A private family memorial was planned for a later date.