Thursday Afternoon

Robert Earl Potts
(October 17, 1940 – April 14, 2011)

A resident of Kentwood, died at 6:10 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Beacham Memorial Hospital in Magnolia, MS. He was born October 17, 1940 in Osyka, MS and was 70 years of age. Visitation at East Fork Baptist Church from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m, Friday, April 15, 2011. Religious Services at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Michael Shumock and Dr. Greg Potts. Interment East Fork Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. He is survived by his wife, Myrna Brock Potts, Kentwood; 2 daughters, Mitzi Conn and husband, Al Conn, Natchez, MS, Deana Simmons and husband, Jeff Simmons, Kentwood; son, Greg Potts and wife, Holli Potts, Dallas, GA; 7 grandchildren, Robert James Potts, William Kirk Potts, Sarah Alice Potts, David Brock Simmons, and Daniel Jeffrey Simmons, brother, W. A. Potts; sister-in-law, Juan Potts; special aunt, Bobbie Potts; Preceded in death by his parents, James M. Potts and Wilma Dean Sanders. Mr. Potts was a graduate of Spring Creek High School and earned a B. S. from SLC in 1962. He taught social studies and science in the early 1970’s at Valley Forge North with time spent in classrooms at Spring Creek and Chesbrough High School before leaving the school system as teacher to devote more time to his dairy farm in the East Fork Community. He continued to work with our parish of Tangipahoa taking on a rural school bus route #7SC for the Spring Creek School District. After retiring from the school system, he focused on his dairy until community service and the education of our youth called again. he was elected to two consecutive terms as District B School Board Member, Tangipahoa Parish. He also serviced two terms with First South Farm Credit. His love for community surpassed his own needs. He was a deacon of East Fork Baptist Church and a member of Spring Creek Masonic Lodge. He and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July of 2010. He was a devoted husband, a provider and encourager to his children, as he was wise counsel, a “buddy” to his brother “Dub”, and an absolutely proud grandfather to seven grandchildren. He will forever be remembered as “Pops” He loved farming the land an tending cattle, a good laugh and fried catfish at “The Hitching Post”. He was a man of faith, a christian, and is now reaping what he sowed in Heaven. In lieu of flowers, friends and family may make donations to The Retreat at Dallas, GA, a new church started by Dr. Greg Potts, or the National Parkinson’s Foundation for Research.