On January 6, 1947, Robert Otha Jolly was born to the late Mr. Major Scipio Jolly and to the late Mrs. Daisy Lee Hughey Rone in Coldwater, Mississippi. He was the eldest of 6 of his father’s children and the eldest of 10 of his mother’s children. Robert accepted Christ at the age of 12 and was baptized at Mt. Calm Baptist Church in Coldwater, MS. He started his early education at Walker Elementary School and finished his formal education in the Tate County School System. He attended Northwest Shoals Community College, where he graduated and receive diplomas for Pipefitting, Electrical Technology and HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration). 

On August 19, 1965, he married Annette Goodman Jolly of Spring Valley, Alabama. They remained married for 53 years and had one child, Melissa Ann Jolly. He was a veteran who fought in the Vietnam War. He returned home safely to his family and started a trucking company with his father in 1969. He retired from TVA in 1985. He was also a 32nd degree freemason and a longtime member of the NAACP. Robert also went on to become president of the Shoals Chapter 742 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. Robert was a very humble, ambitious and hardworking man. He valued family and being a man of his word more than anything. He was also a great outdoorsman and his passion pushed him to build Jolly Farm in Leighton, Alabama. He was a son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. His legacy lives on and he will truly be missed. 

He was preceded in death by both his parents, Major Scipio Jolly and Daisy Lee Hughey Rone; his wife, Annette Goodman Jolly; six brothers, Lawrence Thomas, Larry Thomas, Whenther Rone, Chester Thomas, Patrick Jolly and Michael Jolly. He is survived by his children, Melissa Ann Jolly Armstead (Christopher), adopted daughter Danielle Jolly (Andre); and additionally he leaves behind Latasha Iverson Graham, Robert Yarbrough, Kim West and Godson Patrick Skruggs who he treated as his own and a host of grandchildren; six brothers, Curtis Webb (Virginia), June Rone, Alvin Rone, Reginald Rone, Jose Rone and Andre Rone; two sisters, Pamela Jolly and Lawandrea Jolly Johnson (Edward); four cousins raised as sisters, Lily Hughey Reed, Clemmie Hughey West, Mae Hughey Marshall (Ervin) and Celestine Hughey French (Jerry); nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.