Bobby F. Carnes

Bobby Frank Carnes was born to the late William and Cordie Lee Carnes on December 27, 1940 in Milan, Tennessee.  He departed this life on June 9, 2023, surrounded by his daughters, grandchildren, family and loved ones.

Bobby grew up in Milan with his parents and seven siblings.  He was preceded in death by three brothers: General Carnes, James Carnes Sr., and Billy Carnes; and, three sisters: Eloise Carnes, Viesta Farmer, and Mary Frances Pettie.  Bobby graduated from Gibson County Training School/Polk –Clark School in Milan, TN 1960.  He was active in high school playing football, as a tight end.  Shortly after graduating high school, Bobby moved to Kansas City, Mo. with his brother Billy, and there he met Thelma Ivy.  They were both working at Harzfeld’s Department Store on the Plaza.  Thelma invited Bobby to church, and shortly after Bobby was baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost at Christ Temple Church, under the pastorate of District Elder Walter Scott. Bobby and Thelma were united in matrimony in 1962, and to this union two daughters were born: Andrea Nicole and Caron Lynette.

Bobby served Christ Temple Church as a Sunday school teacher, bus driver, and deacon, baptizing many souls in Jesus’ Name.  He served faithfully at Christ Temple Church for many years under the leadership of District Elder Walter Scott, Suffragan Bishop Lee A. Tolbert, Bishop Mark Tolbert and District Elder Christopher Collier.

In 1964 Bobby was hired at General Motors Corporation and worked there for 42 years, until his retirement in 2006.  In addition to working at General Motors Corporation, Bobby also worked as a part-time school bus driver, managed a cleaning business, and also had a lawn service.  He had a strong work ethic, instilling this trait in Andrea and Caron, and passing it to his grandsons and grand-daughter.

Bobby loved the Lord with his whole heart, never missing an opportunity to hear good preaching.  He maintained a large cassette tape collection of sermons from many gospel greats.  He loved to attend the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Conventions, traveling with family in the motor home motorcade, with his wife, daughters, and other family members. His traveling CB handle was “Tennessee Bob”.

Bobby had a huge heart, never meeting a stranger, and greeted everyone with a huge smile. He was always consistent and accepted everyone.  He had a big heart, always willing to help those in need.  He was often referred to as Uncle Bob, or Poppy.

Bobby was a devoted husband and father, and shared 58 years of marriage with Thelma until the Lord called her home on April 25, 2020.

Bobby filled his days with keeping up with his grandchildren and watching anything that peaked his interest on YouTube: mainly enjoying lawn mowing, power washing, tow truck hauling, Judge Judy, Dr. Phil and Family Feud. He also spent days in the garden and driving out to Longview Lake to enjoy the peace of the water. He was a faithful friend. For example, every Saturday evening you could count on him and his two friends, Elders David Williams and Sylvester Glenn, enjoying a Sunday School Lesson study session.

Deacon Bobby Carnes leaves to cherish his memory two daughters: Andrea Carnes, Kansas City, MO.,  Caron Fauntleroy, Blue Springs, MO;  one brother: Lincoln (Vernetta) Carnes, Sr. of Trenton TN.;  five grandsons: Alan-Michael Dougherty, Andrew Dougherty, Alexander Dougherty, Aaron Dougherty, and Kaleb Fauntleroy; one grand-daughter Kailyn Fauntleroy, and one great-grandson Aaron-Daniel Dougherty; two sons, born in his heart: Burt (Tracy) Love, and Alan Dougherty;  god-daughters, Ramona White and Tekeena Jacobs; brother-n-love, who was like a brother: Jacob (Barbara) Ivy, Phoenix, AZ.;  sisters-n-love: Alta Carnes, Kansas City, MO; Juanita Neal, Kansas City, MO; Ethel Williams, Kansas City, KS; Maxine Allen, Kansas City, KS; Bettye Walker, Palmdale, CA.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, long-time friends and a tremendous, loving church family.  

Visitation will be 10AM, with services to follow at 11AM, Saturday, June 24 at Victorious Life Church, 3400 The Paseo Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri; burial in Green Lawn Cemetery.  Arr: Park Lawn 816-523-1234