Robert F. "Bob" Haygood

Robert F. “Bob” Haygood, age 86, of Vancleave, MS passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, May 21, 2026. He was born in Mobile, Alabama to Paul Lester Haygood and Ina White Haygood on September 30, 1939. They moved to Meridian after he lost his dad when he was three. He graduated from Meridian High School where he played trombone in the band and played in the Lions Band.

Bob graduated from MSU with a Degree in Business Administration. While there, he joined the Air National Guard serving as an Air Traffic Controller, becoming a Tech Sargeant.

He met the love of his life and best friend, Barbara Sue Davis, in January 1967 at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church in Meridian. They were married on August 13, 1967. They moved to Tallulah, LA where they were members of First Baptist and worked with children. They later moved to Mobile, Alabama where they served in the children’s ministry at Dolphin Way Baptist Church, before moving to Gautier, MS in 1972.

Bob worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding from 1972 until 2005 where he was a Configuration Analyst. They became active members of First Baptist Church of Gautier. After working with children for a few years, Bob became the chair of the Greeters until his health forced him to stop in 2026.

A great girl dad, Bob supported his daughters in all their activities, such as chaperoning PHS Chorus and Show Choir trips to places like Houston, TX, Nashville, TN and Orlando, FL.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Paula Miner (Ron), and Ronald Haygood (Phillis).

One of Bob’s most common statements was “I am blessed!” His most loved blessings were his beloved wife of 58 years, Barbara; his precious daughters, Kristi Barlow (John) and Vicki Zuccarello (Joe); grandchildren that lovingly called him “Papa”, Anthony Zuccarello, Elisa Barlow and Anna Zuccarello; chosen family, Angela Sims, Cailin Sims and Cari Whitt (Clay); sister-in-law, Charlotte Bosarge (Douglas), Pam Locke (Jesse) and brother-in-law, Howard Davis (Donna). He also loved his nieces, nephews, cousins, and church family.

The family would like to thank Lisa (his nurse) and the entire staff of Hospice of Light for their compassionate care. They would also like to thank the Doctors, Nurse Practitioners and nurses who have cared for him over the years.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 30, 2026, 12:00-2:00pm at First Baptist Church in Gautier.  Funeral Service will begin at 2:00pm with Dr. Chad Ball and Rev. James Wilson officiating.

Interment will follow at Vancleave Cemetery # 1 on Jim Ramsey Road in Vancleave. Pallbearers will be Stewart Bosarge, Justin Sward, J. D. Locke, Scott Davis, Matt Johnson, and Keith Schwartz. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his church, First Baptist Church in Gautier, P.O. Box 37, Gautier, MS 39553.

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