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Mr. Bobby Earl Crain Sr., a resident of Franklinton, passed away Feb. 8, 2022, at the age of 87. Mr. Crain loved to tell the story of how he was born in Pine, 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 Feb. 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; his children, Juan Crain of Pine, Robbie (Vicki) Crain of Pine, Regenia (Wayne) Sorrell of Hattiesburg, Miss., and Cheryl Crain of Hattiesburg; step-children, Ragan (Billy) Burt of Bogalusa, and Bailey (Bobby) Seals of Bogalusa; 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; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by two sisters, Evelyn Brumfield of Bogalusa and Glynn Coles of Franklinton; three nieces; and three 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 was held Thursday, Feb. 10, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home. A second visitation will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, from noon until time for the services at 2 p.m. at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home, with the Rev. Clay Norwood officiating. Interment will 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.

To view and sign the guestbook, visit online at www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.