Bobby Warren Laws, 85, of Elizabethton, passed away Friday, January 2, 2015, at the CLC Hospice Unit, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. He was born in Roanoke, Va., to the late Haskell W. and Marie Blanche Seville Laws. The family moved to Butler, Tenn., when Bobby was six years old and lived most of his life in Carter County.
Mr. Laws served in the United States Navy Seabees during World War II. After being discharged, he worked for the TVA, building Watauga Dam. He was a licensed Coast Guard Pilot and private Captain and Chauffeur for the late Carla B. Keys for many years. He retired as an electrician, having worked for several local electrical companies. He was of the Baptist Faith and had attended Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church in recent years.
Bobby was a member of the American Legion Post #49, VFW Post of Manassas, Va., and Island 2 Navy Seabees of Lakeland, Fla.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Benny and Bill Laws.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Charlotte Babb Laws; two daughters, Kathy Laws Forbes and husband David, Hampton, and Cendi Laws Smith, Hampton; two sons, Tony Laws and wife Karla, Indianapolis, Ind., and David Laws and wife Terri, Jacksonville, Fla.; three step-daughters, Karen Forbes Fisher, Hampton, Linda Forbes, Bristol, Va., and special step-daughter and caregiver, Rosie Forbes Harwell and husband David, Bluff City; one step-son, Clyde Forbes and wife Jennifer, Elizabethton; one sister, Betty Laws Whitehead and husband Bud, Johnson City; two brothers, Bud Laws and wife Loretta, Mountain City, and Haskell “Sonny” Laws and wife Mary Jo, Butler; a special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sam and Helen Harrison, Elizabethton; several cousins, nieces and nephews; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren and 14 step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Bobby Warren Laws were conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 6, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Randy Johnson and the Rev. Mark Potter officiating. Music was provided by Lisa Morgan and Jessica Smith. The graveside service and interment will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, at Happy Valley Memorial Park with the Rev. Charlie Trivette officiating. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, will be grandsons, Jeremy Rouse, Jake Smith, Thomas Hamby, Robbie Fritts, Lucus, Tommy Laws, Andy Glover and Dakota Harwell. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Harrison, Ikis Nave, Carl Harrison, Gene Laws, Carl Roberson, Randy Whaley, the Rev. Jonas Revis, Jay Walsh, David Forbes, Shane O’Dell, James Forbes, Will Laws, Jim Carr, Brandon Estep and Jacob Forbes. Military Honors will be provided by the Crosswhite-Patton VFW Post #6975, Bristol, Tn./Va. The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the wonderful staff and nurses for the great care received during Bob’s stay at the Community Living Center at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at the residence. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday to go to the cemetery. Condolences to the Laws family may be sent to our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Laws family.