Robert "Bobby" Dannelley

Robert “Bobby” Dannelley, Jr., age 82, of Biloxi, passed away in his home on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Bobby was born on July 30, 1941 in Biloxi to Robert W. Dannelley and Mercedes Desporte Dannelley. He graduated from Biloxi High School in 1959. After graduating, Bobby served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He finished a 42-year career at Ingalls Shipyard as a production engineer.

Bobby loved his dogs, motorcycles, automobiles, and running. He was well known as an elite runner across the region.

After Hurricane Katrina, Bobby and his wife, Becky, along with their Scottie dogs, moved to the Smokey Mountains and lived in Townsend, TN. Here he developed a love of black bears and his job working as the “miller” at the Grist Mill in Cades Cove, TN. Bobby and Becky returned to Biloxi in 2021. He was also known for his love of animals and his sense of humor.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Darnell Soljan.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Rebecca Richardson Dannelley; two daughters, Robyn Manuel (Tim) and Cara York (Bill); five grandchildren, Morgan James (Markus), Collin Manuel (Hayley), Carley Walker, Rhianna Walker, and Erin Walker; one great-granddaughter, Baylor James; and his dogs, Bear, Bonnie, and Clyde.

A service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Robert “Bobby” Dannelley.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=impactgiving-bttn-memory&dedication=1&frequency_selected=0, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Appalachian Bear Rescue, https://appalachianbearrescue.org/make-a-donation/, P.O. Box 364, Townsend, TN 37882.