Obituary

Bobby Earl Crain, Sr.

October 30, 1934 - February 8, 2022

Mr. Bobby Earl Crain, Sr. a resident of Franklinton, LA passed away February 8, 2022, at the age of 87.  Mr. Crain loved to tell the story of how he was born in Pine, Louisiana, while his mother was picking cotton.  She made it to a cotton shack and “dropped” him there!  He always added that he didn’t even have a birth certificate until he was a grown man.   He told stories of how his family worked hard to make ends meet, until his father got a job working for Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill, but also continued to work other jobs on the side to give his family a better life.  This is when he learned how to work hard and his mother helped him save to buy his first guitar, because she knew he loved music.  Mr. Crain worked for 48 1/2 years before retiring from International Paper Mill as an electrician.  Most folks in Bogalusa knew they would see him walking and eating his lunch every day on Columbia Street.  

He loved to travel whether it be by land, sea, or air.  As long as the wheels were rolling, he was happy.  He enjoyed his motorhome and cars, but his favorite way to travel was on his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle.  

Mr. Crain often said how blessed he was to have had a life of good health, until May 8, 2019, when doctors said he could not survive due to his lungs not being pliable.  However, he fought hard and with God’s mercy and his determination, he did survive until his death on February 8, 2022.  He loved his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Crain is survived by his loving spouse of 24 years, Kay Crain, of Pine, LA; his children, Juan Crain of Pine, LA, Robbie (Vicki) Crain of Pine, LA, Regenia (Wayne) Sorrell of Hattiesburg, MS, and Cheryl Crain of Hattiesburg, MS; step children, Ragan (Billy) Burt of Bogalusa, LA, and Bailey (Bobby) Seals of Bogalusa, LA; his grandchildren, Dr. Charles (Vanessa) Villafranca, Bryan Crain, Ashley Crain, Amanda Crain, Jason (Jamie) Sorrell, Kristi (Jason) Ball, Amber (Richard) Butler, McKinley Burt, and Ember Conley; twelve great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.  He is also survived by two sisters, Evelyn Brumfield of Bogalusa, LA and Glynn Coles of Franklinton, LA; 3 nieces; and 3 nephews.

Mr. Crain was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Vernice Crain, a brother, Donald Crain and his wife Shirley, one granddaughter, Anissa Moody Sartin, and two brothers in law, Buddy Brumfield and Joe Coles.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home.  A second visitation will be held Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 12:00 P.M. until time for the services at 2:00 P.M. at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home with Rev. Clay Norwood officiating.  Interment to follow at Pine First Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his “Music Buddies”:  Johnny Harris, Danny Harris, Ray Knight, Ray Williams, Carl Stogner, and Mark Jenkins

Honorary Pallbearers will be his other “Music Buddies”: Mike Bruce, Jerry Drago, Svare “Mack” Forsland, and Carlon Wascom.