Bobby Jewel Oakley

Bobby Jewel Oakley was born to Edna (Wilson) and Asberry Oakley, Sr in Oktaha, Oklahoma on October 15, 1943. Life on the farm in Oklahoma was hard during those years, so Bobby came to Des Moines as a youngster and attended school here.

Bobby was a man of few words, unless he was singing. He sang in several quartets in and out of the family. . Bobby was fiercely independent, caring for his household and his needs himself. But the older he got, the more he enjoyed his own company. He was married to the former Barbara Gilson and they have a daughter, Elonda.

Bobby was a professional painter. He was employed by the Homes of Oakridge for many years where he painted inside and outside the complex. When Bobby wasn't working or singing he liked to watch football and basketball on TV. He liked to cook and tried out new recipes from his collection of cookbooks.

May 29, 2013, Bobby stepped from time into eternity at the age of 69 years old. Waiting to meet him on the other side were his parents, Asberry and Edna; his daughter, Linda Oakley; brothers James, Norman and Forest Oakley; and his sisters, Dorothy White and Wanda Smith.

Bobby leaves behind his wife, Barbara of Arizona; his daughter, Elonda Oakley-Hite of Denver, CO; 9 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; his sister, Jewelene Brown of Des Moines, IA; his brothers, Dan (Helen) Oakley of Phoenix, AZ; Asberry (Clara) Oakley, Jr of Des Moines, John Arthur (Venice) Oakley of Indianola, IA, Redell Oakley of Des Moines and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.