Robert Elbert Hemphill, Jr., 75, of Steens, MS passed away Friday, June 1, 2018 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-GT in Columbus, MS.

Visitation will be Monday, June 4, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 10:00 AM in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel with Paul Guerry officiating.

Mr. Hemphill was born May 15, 1943 in Johnson City, TN to the late Robert Elbert and Leona Mylister Murphey Hemphill. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in the National Guard. Mr. Hemphill was a former member of the 877th Engineering Battalion and the National Guard High Powered Rifle Competition Team. He married Mary Dean Wright on July 21, 1968 in Louisville, MS. Mr. Hemphill retired after 15 years of employment from Sears and after 13 years as a bus driver for Lowndes County School District in Caledonia. He attended First Baptist Church in Columbus, MS and was an avid Ole Miss fan.

Mr. Hemphill is survived by his wife of 49 years- Mary Dean Wright Hemphill of Steens, MS; daughter- Lisa Hemphill Mason of Aberdeen, MS and grandson- William "Will" Robert Mason of Baton Rouge, LA.

Honorary Pallbearers will be George Geer, Dr. Bob Lowe and the bus drivers at Caledonia School.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the charity of donor's choice.