Robert Earl (Bob) Stansell
April 9, 1942- April 20, 2024
Bob Stansell passed away on April 20, 2024, in Florence, AL at Glennwood Palliative Care Unit after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Florence on April 9, 1942, to the late Earnest Fay and Beatrice Foster Stansell.
Bob is survived by one sister, Barbara Stansell McFarlen (Herschel), two nieces and one nephew, six grand nephews and several cousins. Also surviving is former wife Patricia (Pat) Morgan, who has remained a friend, and, as his health declined, primary caregiver.
Bob was a graduate of Mars Hill Bible School, class of 1960, and a veteran of the Vietnam War era—serving 1965-1968. After high school graduation he attended welding school and worked in construction for a brief time. His vocational first love was journalism. He worked for newspapers in Moulton, Decatur, and Florence, AL, as a reporter and editor. During his time in the U. S. Army he was based in Alabama at, what was then, Fort Rucker, where he worked as a journalist with The Stars and Stripes.
Bob and Pat Morgan co-published a weekly paper, the Cherokee Colbert News (1980-85) and a monthly magazine, the Pier Post River Journal, which covered the history, events, and information for the boating public along the Tennessee River from Pickwick Dam to Guntersville Lake.
Bob was a life-long student of the history of Lauderdale County, AL, and a loyal fan of Auburn football. He was a member of the Jackson Heights Church of Christ where his parents were founding members. At Bob’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. At a later date his ashes will be buried at Wates Cemetery near Waterloo, AL.
Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers in Opelika, AL, is handling his arrangements.