Rev. Robert "Bob" Ford Dills passed away in Shelby on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Bob was born in Covington, Kentucky on October 22, 1935 to Rev. Robert Henry Dills and Leah Mae Roberts Dills. He met his wife, Jackie, at Belmont College. They were married November 1, 1957. Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army and served at the Berlin Wall in Germany. He also became an assistant chaplain in the army. When he returned to the states, he continued his college years at Union University of Jackson, Tennessee. After graduation , Bob and Jackie moved to Louisville, KY so that Bob could attend Southern Theological Seminary where he graduated with a Masters of Church Music.

Bob was called to be the Minister of Music and Youth at Ahoskie First Baptist Church in Ahoskie, NC and served there for 15 years. He was very instrumental in that several of his youth went into the ministry. In 1979, Bob accepted the call to become the Minister of Music at Shelby First Baptist Church where he served for 22 years. He worked with adults, singles, youth, and children's choir and handbells. After his retirement in 2000, he was an Associate Chaplain for 16 years at Cleveland Regional Medical Center, now Atrium Hospital. He also continued to drive the church bus and was involved in many other ministries.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Jackie; his son Keith and wife Glynis of Lenoir; his daughter Kelli Eason and husband Joe of Rock Hill, SC; his granddaughters, Brittany Reece and husband Eli of Hickory, NC; Jade Eason Prieger and husband Daniel of Beaverton, Oregon; Holly Dills of Lancaster, SC and Layna Eason of Rock Hill, SC; 1 great grandson, Brecken Reese of Hickory; a brother, Don Dills and wife Sharon of Troy, TN; a brother-in-law, Bart Tucker and wife Marilyn of White Bluff, TN; and 2 nephews.

A service will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, March 29, 2024 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Shelby with Rev. Glenn Davenport, Rev. Billy Cooper, and Deacon Joe Eason officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to the following:

VIA Health Partners founded as Hospice of Cleveland County: 951 Wendover Heights Drive Shelby, NC 28150. https://www.viagiving.org/

Music Department of First Baptist Church, Shelby: 120 N Lafayette St, Shelby, NC 28150

Online condolences may be made at cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is compassionately serving the Dills family