Robert Kenith Honea

Robert (Bob) Honea passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Robert was born on May 20, 1939 in Doraville, Georgia to the late Joseph and Sallie (Cash) Honea. Bob was predeceased by his parents, his first wife, Nancy (Hill) Honea, his son, Duane Honea, and his brothers: Joseph Jr, William and Larry Honea.

Robert attended Tucker High School and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served two tours of duty. Following his military service, Robert worked as a uniformed police officer in DeKalb County, Georgia. He then went to work for Southern Railway as a railroad police detective. Southern Railway merged with Norfolk Railway and became Norfolk Southern Railway where Robert worked until his retirement. He enjoyed woodworking and made beautiful pieces of furniture. Never one to sit around, Robert started a custom home design and building company. His homes were uniquely designed and he did not build the same home plan more than once. He became close friends with some of his customers and remained so until his death. Following that career, Robert retired once again, this time moving to his beloved mountain home in Blairsville, Georgia.

He always had a project going and remodeled his home, adding an office and then single-handedly digging dirt out from under the house to make himself a workshop.

Robert then started writing novels. He has published a number of books, mostly historical fiction and railroad detective mysteries. His last published book, “Moments in Time” is his family geneology...The Honea Family of DeKalb County. Robert worked on this book for thirty-plus years off and on, determined to find the beginning of the Honea line. When he finally, as he said, “connected all the dots” the novel was completed and published. It is his final legacy to his family.

Robert volunteered at the Union County Nursing Home for over twenty years. He started a men's group which he & the residents called his “King's Men Ministry” and he became a friend and teacher to many of the residents. He even arranged a Baptism for those men who had accepted Christ through his Ministry and wished to be Baptized. His heart was broken when Covid forced the volunteers out of the Nursing Home. Robert truly had a servant's heart. He volunteered and worked for the mentoring program for at-risk students and he also volunteered as an instructor in the OASIS program. He taught creative writing to adults who aspired to become writers.

Robert is survived by his dear and beloved wife, Dottie McIntosh Honea. He is also survived by his sister, Gail (Paul) Allred, children Joel (Angela) Honea, Suzanne (Bob) Brake, John (Mary) Honea, Sonja Honea, Susan (Brian) Ehret, Christina (Robbie) Lawrence, Adam Matthew (Katie) McIntosh, William M. McIntosh IV. He is also survived by his dear and beloved Grandchildren, Melissa (Brandon) Wesley, Victoria (Cannon) Honea, Jessica (Kyle) Shelton, Drew Honea, Baker Brake, Cameron Brake, Mason Honea, Andrew Ehret, Kendall (Michael) Sloop, Emily (Mat) Lawler, Stephen Ehret, Alex Ehret, Abbie (Ezra) Ortiz, Nathan Lawrence, Elisa McIntosh, Liam McIntosh and Lily McIntosh. Robert is also survived by eleven Great Grandchildren and by many much-loved friends.

A Memorial Service celebrating Robert's life will be held at Cochran's Funeral Home, Blairsville, Ga. on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.

Friends may visit from 10:00 A.M. until time for the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert's memory may be made to:

The Gideon's International, Blairsville Camp, P.O. Box 521 Blairsville, Ga. 30514-0521