Fallen Hero: MAJ(Ret) Robert Lance “Bobby” Crabtree

Tupelo

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Funeral Home

Holland Funeral Directors

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Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation. 

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on August 26, 2021, and moved on to his heavenly home. MAJ(Ret) Robert Lance “Bobby” Crabtree, age 56, a retired member of the MS Army National Guard who had served within the HHC, 155^th Armored Brigade (ABCT), Tupelo, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life.  We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed:  “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier.  We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service.  We thank you for your service.  Without your efforts and your families’ support, this country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done.  Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Obituary

Tupelo-Robert Lance “Bobby” Crabtree, 56, departed this life on Thursday, August 26, 2021, from North Miss. Medical Center after a struggle with Covid-19. Bobby, a Louisiana native, was born in Westwego, LA, on May 23, 1965, to the late William Crabtree and Aleta Best Crabtree, who survives. He grew up in Houma and graduated from H. L. Bourgeois High School. Bobby obtained his BS in Business Administration from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA. Bobby spent his first 31 working years with Sears. He was transferred to Tupelo in 2002 and has made his home here ever since. After retiring from Sears, he began a professional truck driving career and, at his death, was employed out of the Memphis Region of Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport. A patriotic American, Bobby gave 23 years service in the Mississippi Army National Guard, retiring with the rank of Major. He served with the 155th Armored Brigade out of Tupelo and was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bobby attended The Orchard Church in Tupelo. He loved SEC sports, especially LSU football, and made exceptions to cheer for Mississippi State when two of his sons attended there under scholarship. He enjoyed fishing and playing bass guitar. Bobby’s family will forever cherish his legacy of being a wonderful and devoted son, brother, husband, father, and friend to many. A service celebrating his life, with military honors, will be held at 4:30 PM Saturday, August 28, 2021, from the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Rev. Will Rambo officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at Holland-which is honored to be serving friends. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at 4:30 pm Saturday at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming and will be permanently archived thereafter. Bobby is survived by his wife, Pamela Smith Crabtree of Tupelo, to whom he married on Aug. 2, 1986, in Houma; his sons, Wesley Crabtree (Ruth Brown) of Bay St. Louis, MS., Matthew Crabtree (Searcy) and Lance Crabtree all of Tupelo. his mother, Aleta Crabtree of Houma, LA, one brother, Billy Crabtree (Dawn) of Houma and his in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Memorials may be made to The Shriners Hospital for Children, 3100 Samford Avenue, Shreveport, LA,