Robert H. Holifield was born in Laurel, MS on August 27, 1921 to J. C. and Millie Holifield.  After he finished Shady Grove High School, he attended Jones County Junior College until he joined and served in the Coast Guard as Pharmacist- mate for 3 years.  He went back to JCJC in preparation for dental school.  He graduated from The University of Tenn. Dental School with a degree as Doctor of Dental Surgery in March 1950.

On July 4, 1951 he married Jeanne Charbonneau and had 4 sons.  Dr. Bob was a member of Laurel First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and helped teach children there for many years.

Dr. Bob was active in a number of professional dental associations and a member of the Miss. State Board of Dental Examiners.  He was a Past President of the Laurel Lions Club and helped organize the Miss. Catfish Farmers Association and served as the first President.

As an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed trophy hunting in Miss., Alaska, British Columbia, and the Rocky Mtns.  He always enjoyed bee-keeping and marketed this honey in Jones County.

In 1974 he was co-founder of the Honduras Baptist Dental Mission, Inc. and served there yearly for many years.  In 1985-86 he and Jeanne served one year with Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board in the Gambia, West Africa.

In his later years he lovingly spent much time and effort in helping teach the men at Love in Action how to farm, fish and how to be good Christian men by being the example.  He led a very productive life in fishing for men and teaching men and children but he always made time and had the ability and determination to involve other people willing to help plant the “Whole Field” then to share the bounty of the harvest with everyone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, three sisters and one child, Scottie at age 8 months.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeanne of Laurel; three sons, Dr. Brad Holifield and his wife, Cena, of Hattiesburg; Mark Holifield and wife, Laura, of Houston, TX; Clay Holifield of Laurel; one sister, Dot Cirlot of Moss Point; and four grand-daughters; Elise Holifield, Erin Holifield, Kristin Holifield, and Hannah Lindsey Holifield along with a host of nieces and nephews.

He departed this world for his heavenly home on January 10, 2014.

He was my Dentist since age 6, my friend forever and my mentor but also was my Father-figure as well as for William and our family of 4 boys and 19 grandchildren.

Joyfully but sadly and lovingly submitted this Saturday, April 19, 2014,

Irene Wells