Robert Monroe Franklin Leftwich

Mr. Robert Monroe Franklin Leftwich, 85, passed away Friday night, November 4, 2022, at AuthoraCare Hospice in Burlington.  Born May 27, 1937, in Woodlawn, VA, he was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Leroy and Lula Mae Holder Leftwich; a sister, Callie Leftwich; and his lifelong sweetheart and wife of 60 years, Patsy Sue Patterson Leftwich.  He is survived by two sisters, Kathryn Hodges and Nell Sykes; a daughter, Julie Bobbitt (Scott); a son, Patrick Leftwich (Sandy); two granddaughters, Lauren Bernards (Ross) and Natalie Westmoreland (Cody); two great-grandchildren, Ryker Snowden and Ellery Westmoreland; and numerous, dear cousins.  Known by his many friends as Bob, he grew up in Lowgap, where he went to school first through twelfth grades with Patsy.  They were married July 14, 1957, and were inseparable until she died in 2017.  Bob worked for over 40 years at Western Electric/AT&T as a technical illustrator with a Top-Secret Security clearance contributing to the United States Nike Hercules missile initiative.  Bob was a kind and compassionate man who put others before himself.  He took his mother-in-law into his home and helped care for her for over 20 years.  When Patsy had many health issues later in life, Bob took care of her at home as long as he could; then visited her daily faithfully when she had to have more help than he could provide at home.  He was a loving and encouraging father to his children and a good friend and neighbor to those who knew him.  Bob was cool.  He had grace and style.  Even in his last two years, when he was forced to move out of his home and had to live with his children, unable to be independent, he embraced every day with gratitude and joy.  He always remembered to “stop and smell the roses.”  Bob will be missed greatly and remembered dearly by the many people he touched with his gentle, caring spirit.  The funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Gail Smith officiating.  Burial will follow in the Ivy Green Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Wednesday from 10:00 until 11:00 AM at the funeral home.  Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK  73123 or www.donate3.cancer.org/.