Bobby James Bayles, Sr.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Bobby James Bayles, Sr., 91, of Downsville, Louisiana will be held at 1:30 P.M., Tuesday, December 17, 2024, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe with Bro. Frank Woolsey officiating. Interment will follow immediately after at Hasley Cemetery, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe. Visitation will be held from 12:30 P.M. until the time of service.

Mr. Bayles was born on January 10, 1933, in West Monroe, Louisiana and passed away on December 13, 2024, at his residence in Downsville, Louisiana.

Bobby was a husband, father, grandfather, son, and friend who was deeply devoted to his family, especially his grandbabies, great grandbabies, and the love of his life, Cynthia. Mr. Bayles proudly served in the United States Navy. He then went on to serve as a Range Rider for the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and the West Monroe Police Department. Bobby then joined the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries where he retired as Captain of District 2 in 2005. He and his wife loved to dance and always won first place in any competition they entered. Mr. Bayles loved going to all of the festivals in the surrounding areas. He was a member of the local VFW. Mr. Bobby loved to drink coffee and he would always go to Kettle or the Waffle House. He was also the proud owner of Bayles Landing, where he served some of the best food in NELA. He was strong in his faith and was a member of Ridge Avenue Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Bayles; mother, Daisy Watson Bayles; son, Bobby James Bayles, Jr. (Jay); brothers, Tunny Bayles and Ed Bayles; stepmother, Julia May Bayles; and sister, Judy Bayles.

Those left to cherish his memory are his adoring wife, Cynthia McVay Bayles; brother, Freddie Roy Bayles (Vivian); daughters, Terri Cook (Rusty), Teena Thoman, and Monica Bayles Hunt; step daughter, Shanna Woolsey (Rev. Frank); stepson, Christopher Savana; grandchildren, Justin Bayles, Jenny Thoman, Jeremy Beard, Allen McVay (Danielle), Johnathan Woolsey (Kourtney), Meagan Gasca (Chris), Devyn Woolsey (Jordan), Christian Savana, Kasyn Savana, Emori Woolsey, Aeric Shows, and Timothy Shows; great grandchildren, Alanah “Ali: Beard, Bayles Beard, Christian McCloud, Samantha Dortch, Nick Gasca, Khloe Gasca, Mia Gasca, Hayden Gasca, Marci Gasca, Bella Gasca, Lilly Gasca, Noah Gasca, Kylee Woolsey, Emma LaDart, Addilyn Woolsey, Blake Antley, and Waylon Antley; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and loved ones.