Robert Boone

Robert “Bob” Lewis Boone, 84, of Murrells Inlet, SC, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2026.

Born in Aiken County, SC, to the late Samuel “Doc” and Dora Lee Boone, Robert led what might have seemed to be an ordinary life, but he lived it in extraordinary ways.

On Nov. 1, 1960, at the tender age of 18, he married the love of his life, the late Patricia “Pat” Boone. Over the course of their 50+ years together, they raised seven children, built a life centered around their faith and family, and somehow managed to turn even life’s most difficult moments into adventures.

Bob was a hard-working man who often held more than one job at a time. Over the years, he managed retail stores, worked for the Valley Public Service Authority in Aiken County, SC, and served churches throughout Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Whatever the job or wherever they were called, Bob, Pat, and the kids tackled it together.

“Preacher Bob,” as he was affectionally known by his many congregants, would often make it clear in his sermons how he wanted to be remembered. When he went home to glory, he said, he simply wanted people to say that he was “a man who loved God.”

And indeed, Robert Boone was a man who loved God.

Though he could be tough as nails (just ask his kids!), his life was a living, breathing, walking testimony to the faith that he preached about each Sunday morning.

He was the man who would ask Pat to prepare extra food at dinner, just in case a church member happened to stop by. He took busloads of children to camp for many years, he accompanied senior adults to Disney, preached revivals, lead conferences, authored books, passed out Gospel tracts, and sang hymns in the car.

He counseled the brokenhearted, performed marriages for those beginning their lives

together, and always enjoyed a good old-fashioned “church eatin’ meetin’.”

He didn't just preach about loving people. He lived it and taught his family to do the same.

His children will remember the songs they sang, the work ethic he instilled in them, and the countless Bible stories he taught them. His grandchildren will remember the silly jokes and the fact that he always had the best (and strangest) snacks! The congregations he served will remember a pastor who always put their needs before his own.

Although his children did not become pastors, their Daddy never saw that as a requirement for serving God. He always said that each of his children was a minister in their own way, through their own lives, families, and careers. More than anything, he wanted his children to carry the message of salvation with them wherever life took them. He often joked that he sent missionaries into the world as his kids were scattered across the United States in their adulthood.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Boone; father, Samuel Boone; mother, Dora Lee Boone; sister, Mary “Sissy”; son, Paul Boone; and three grandsons, Chris Eggleston, Andrew Simmons, and Hayden Key.

Left to cherish his legacy are his children, Angie (Wayne) Eggleston, Ricky Boone, Cindy (Dave) Dorsey, Tammy (Daniel) Britt, Patty (Ed) Ostopowicz, Rebecca (Matt) Whittle; his long list of beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren; two sisters, Lynn & Beverly; and a very spoiled collection of granddogs.

In the wee hours of Monday morning, when Preacher Bob walked through the pearly gates, there is no doubt he was met by many who had gone before him.

But perhaps the sweetest part of his story is that a man who devoted his life to telling others how they could get to Heaven, is finally seeing it for himself, living and worshiping in glory beside his Savior Jesus Christ.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Services will be held at Jackson Memorial Funeral Home, 315 Main Street, Graniteville, SC 29829 on Saturday, September 19, 2026 with visitation from 10-11am and service at 11am followed by a graveside service.

In lieu of flowers (they made him sneeze!), donations may be made to The Gideons International, where they will continue to share the Word of God around the world.