Robert Carnell "Bobby" Veal

“…this is where the cowboy rides away…” - Georgia Strait

1st Lieutenant Robert Carnell Veal, Ret., ARNG, passed from this life to the next at home on Friday, February 17, 2023, while surrounded by his family. He was 91. The self-proclaimed Mayor of Sara Jane Drive, Bobby Veal lived life on his own terms, and died just the same.

Born in Lithonia on July 23, 1931, the Veal family relocated to Elberton for work in the granite industry when Bobby was a small child. He grew up in Elberton where the family family attended First Baptist Church and he graduated high school in 1949. Bobby served his country faithfully in the Army National Guard.

Bobby, just as his daddy before him, devoted his life’s work to the granite industry. He was the owner/operator of Veal Granite Company. Bobby was a cowboy at heart who loved sharing his love of the horse world with others and was a founding member of the Elbert County Saddle Club. An extremely talented man, he enjoyed piloting airplanes as a licensed pilot, playing guitar, and was very successful in the martial art of karate.

Bobby was an avid outdoorsman and an accomplished hunter and fisherman. His last days were spent in the comfort of his home admiring many of his taxidermy game and reminiscing of days gone by.

The oldest of three children born to Roy Carnell Veal and Margaret Farmer Veal, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Margie Rodgers; and brother, Royce Eugene Veal.

Bobby is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dianne Gail Pratt Veal and his children: Janice Meyer de Stadelhofen and her husband Francois Meyer of Switzerland, Allan Carnell Veal and his wife Fran of Elberton, Julie V. Dye and her husband Ron of Elberton, Rena Smith and her husband Doug of Elberton, and Bob Thurmond and his husband Bill Hooper of New York. He was the “Granddaddy” and “D” to his eight grandchildren: Brandon Barnwell and her husband Brian, Adam Carnell Veal, Elizabeth Andersen and her husband Niels, Trent Veal, Eva Meyer, Joseph Meyer, Shelby Raina Dye, and Chayse Crocker and her husband Brett; and three great-grandchildren: Avery Andersen, Ashton Andersen, and Brantlee Gunter.

There will be a time of visitation on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, from 5:00-7:00p.m. at Berry Funeral Home. Bobby was adamant that he did not want a funeral service, and the family is honoring his request. His remains will be entombed with his father in the Veal Family Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memorial Park.

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home and Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Robert Carnell “Bobby” Veal.