Robert Hartness

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 30, 2009

WOODVILLE — Memorial services for Robert A. “Bob” Hartness, 88, of Woodville, who died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at Field Memorial Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Woodville Baptist Church with the Rev. Warren Whitaker and the Rev. Rob Muncy officiating.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Newman Funeral Home in Centreville.

Mr. Hartness was born Dec. 18, 1920, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Arnold Hartness and Ruth Miller Hartness. He was employed by Farm Bureau Insurance Company and was the first agent to Wilkinson County. Mr. Hartness was a businessman, cattleman, heavy equipment owner and operator. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Hartness was appointed to the State of Mississippi Soybean Board by Governor William Winter. He was also a longtime Sunday school teacher at Woodville Baptist Church; past president of the Lions Club in Woodville; and a former member of the local school board.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Lil Ford Hartness; and his parents.

Survivors include one daughter, Patricia Hartness Peeler and Joel of Madison; one son, Robert A. “Bobby” Hartness and wife, Linda, of Woodville; two grandsons, Robert A. “Robby” Hartness and Bobbi of St. Francisville, La., and Jason B. Hartness of Wilsonville, Ore.; and two great-grandchildren, Luke A. Hartness and Casey L. Hartness, both of St. Francisville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woodville Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, P.O. Box 1256, Woodville, MS 39669.