Bobby Ray Stinson

Bobby Ray Stinson, a resident of Abbeville, died late Sunday morning, July 29, 2007, at his home. He was 76. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2007, in the Abbeville Memorial Cemetery with a son-in-law, Ryan Higgins, officiating. Military honors will be conducted at the graveside. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday at the mortuary in Abbeville. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Wiregrass Hospice Inc., P.O. Drawer 2127, Dothan, AL 36302. Mr. Stinson was born and reared in Henry County, near Abbeville, a son of the late Walter Eric Stinson and Willie Mae Wells Stinson. He lived in Abbeville most of his adult lifetime. Mr. Stinson served his country as a combat medic in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was awarded the Occupation Medal in Japan, a Medical Badge, two Bronze Star Medals with a (V) device, which signifies medals awarded for valor, which he received for tending to his comrades in battle while undergoing enemy fire, and also the Korean Service Medal and Bronze Service Stars. Mr. Stinson was the most decorated combat veteran from Henry County during the Korean War. He later retired from the Alabama Army National Guard Unit in Abbeville with rank of Platoon Sergeant (E-7). Mr. Stinson also retired from the United States Postal Service as postmaster in the New Brockton Post Office. He formerly served as postmaster in the Gordon, Midland City and Gulf Shores post offices. In earlier years, Mr. Stinson was employed by the Abbeville Post Office as a city mail carrier and clerk. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Mr. Stinson was preceded in death by a son, David Keith Stinson; a granddaughter, Christina Nichole Paul; and two brothers, Arthur Grant Stinson and Charles Vickers Stinson. Surviving relatives include his devoted wife of 54 years, Ruby Nell Murray Stinson, Abbeville; three daughters, Karen Stinson Smith and husband, Randall Smith, Troy; Linda Stinson Paul, Abbeville; Lucy Stinson Higgins and husband, Ryan Higgins, Fort Worth, Texas; a son, Ray Stinson and wife, Angie Stinson, Headland; four sisters, Doris Bostick, Abbeville; Jean Culpepper and husband, Marvin Culpepper, Abbeville; Peggy Cummings Jackson, Abbeville; Patsy Clark and husband, Melvin Clark, Eufaula; five grandchildren, Anna Jetton and husband, Curtis Jetton, Andrew Paul, Allison Smith, Eric Paul and Sam Stinson; three great-grandchildren, Adelyn Jetton, William Jetton and Lydia Jetton; sisters-in-law, Guinevere Murray Hall, Dothan; Ruth Stinson, Detroit, Michigan; Myra Earlene Murray Woodham and husband, Edsel Woodham, Ozark; a brother-in-law, Nick Murray and wife, Winnie Murray, Abbeville; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends, Charles Mathison, Cody Crawford, Bill Skipper, Jesse T. Harpe and Hubert Givens. Serving as active pallbearers will be Randy Cummings, Kurt Cummings, David Cummings, Kenny Murray, Dr. Bruce Hall and Larry Pitchford. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary, (334) 585-5261, is in charge of arrangements.