Robert Albert "Bobby" Dail

Robert Albert “Bobby” Dail of Fayetteville, passed peacefully in his home the night of Wednesday, July 17, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Born November 15, 1935, in LaGrange, NC, he was the youngest of six, the son of the late John Pinkney Dail, Sr and Mina Stroud. Bobby worked on the farm, in the fields with his parents and siblings; having been four years old when the family got its first indoor plumbing. He enlisted in the Army with his cousin and best friend, Ben Dail in June 1958, where they served at Travis AFB, California. After completing his service, Bobby joined his brother in the insurance business in Greenville NC. October 12, 1961, he was introduced on a blind date to his bride, Mary Louise Taylor, and they were married June 29, 1962. He opened and helped manage Village Furniture off Raeford Road, Fayetteville NC; then enjoyed a long career in management with JCPenney- sending him to Kinston, NC, Roanoke, VA, and Winston-Salem NC. Bobby and Mary raised their girls in Advance NC and cherished their church family, neighborhood friends, coworkers and colleagues. After retiring from JCPenney, he moved the family to Fayetteville NC in 1986. His last 38 years were spent as an active member of McPherson Presbyterian Church, where he continued to sing in the choir, was on several committees and loved being active in all aspects of his church family. In his work life, he built houses, managed Asphalt Resource Maintenance, was an active member of the chamber of commerce, a member of the homebuilder’s association that helped bring the homebuilders show to the Fayetteville area and encouraged many other businesses’ membership and involvement in these organizations. He believed in service and volunteering and giving back to the community. He enjoyed playing pick up ball well into his late 40s, had a set of clubs he used occasionally and never missed an extended family’s funeral, reunion or marriage. He and Mary could always be found on the dance floor shagging or doing “the twist”. He loved family, loved being together and especially enjoyed hunting with his friends and family. However, his greatest pastime was teaching, watching and driving his boat for his girls to water ski at White Lake NC. The sun didn’t rise early enough for him to have his girls out on the water, back to the cottage for a big breakfast and back out on the water before the waves were too choppy from other skiers. He was proud to see his grandchildren enjoy the sport . He will be remembered for his love and devotion to family, his great smile and his determination to get it done.
In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his brothers, John Pinckney Dail, Jr and C. Frank Dail and his sisters Julia Marie Harris, Mina Ruth Miller and Faye Dail Ross.

Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary: four daughters Phoebe Lynn Dail of Nashville TN, Robin Stone (Marty)of Bullock NC, Laurie Dail-Ginn (Doug) of West End NC and Naomi Dail of Greenville, NC: eight grandchildren, John Turner and Riley Stone, Mathias Weiher, Madison Massey (Carson), Natalie Pattee (Jacob), Walker, Charles and Marilyn Ginn: his great grandson, Coleman Massey, who he felt privileged to have met and held, even during his weakest days and looked forward to welcoming baby Pattee, his second great grandson in October. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who he loved dearly.
A memorial service will be held at McPherson Presbyterian Church Saturday, July 27 at 12 noon, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to MacPherson Presbyterian Church 3525 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville NC or Wheat Swamp Christian Church 3732 Wheat Swamp Rd., La Grange NC. 

Sullivan’s Highland is honored to serve the Dail family.