Robert “Bear” Shufford

Mr. Robert Earl Shufford, more commonly referred to as Bear, was born on October 22, 1972, in McKenzie, Alabama to Bobby Lee Peterson and Annie Lee Shufford. He was a proud alumnus of McKenzie High Schoolwhere he excelled in athletics. At an early age, he joined the Church of the Living God where he spent many years participating in youth activities, later serving on the Trustee Board and Cemetery Committee.

In 1991, on a friends’ outing at the skating rink, Bear would meet his future bride. While the two went to rival high schools eight miles apart, no amount of school loyalty could keep them away from each other. On November 14, 2002, he married his high school sweetheart, Ms. Tiffany Renee Gandy. To this union, three beautiful children were born.

Bear had a deep love for his wife and children followed closely by his love for all things sports, for which he was well known. On a typical weekend, he could be found on the softball field playing softball until the wee hours of the morning. One of his proudest moments was being a part of the 1991 1A State Championship football team. As his days of playing football ended, he soon started a new era in coaching. For many, many years, he was referred to as Coach Bear as he could be found coaching and grooming young boys on the football field, sharing his talent and love of football with the next generation.

TSgt Shufford was an honored member of the United States ArmedServices. His military career started in the United States Army where he served for several years before transitioning to the United States Air Force Reserve where he was a part of the 908th Force Support Squadron on Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Between the two, he had a combined military career that lasted nearly 24 years. In addition to his service to our country, Robert worked at the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Robert was a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. an organization that was founded on the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship,and service. He was a member of Epsilon Theta Sigma chapter in Haynesville, Alabama. He carried these principles through every aspect of his life. Bear departed this life on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

He leaves to cherish his wonderful memories, a dedicated, devoted and loving wife Mrs. Tiffany Renee Shufford of McKenzie, AL; children, Kayla Shufford, Robert “Chris” Shufford and Kami Shufford, all of McKenzie, AL; mother, Annie Shufford of McKenzie, AL; father, Bobby (Erma) Peterson of Birmingham, AL; brothers, Bobby (Kristal) Shufford of Greenville, AL and Shannon Shufford of McKenzie, AL; sisters, Camilla Peterson of Pleasant Grove, AL, Rachel (Dorran) Coley of Conyers, GA; Sabrina Peterson of Atlanta, GA, and Lydia Lomax of Covington, LA; Grandmother, Myra Shufford, of McKenzie, AL; mother-in-law, Virtira Gandy of Georgiana, AL; brother-in-law, Robert (Calandra) Gandy of Jacksonville, FL, sister-in-law, Andrea Gandy of Oviedo, FL; a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, family,and friends.

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