Obituaries
Robert McKissack, 54, died February 11, 2023
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Robert Lewis McKissack was born on February 28, 1968, in St. Louis, Missouri, as the older brother (by 5 minutes) of twin sons born to the late Patricia and Fredrick McKissack.
Robert was a curious child with a big heart who loved hanging out with his brothers. Growing up it was always “Bobby, Johnny and Freddy” getting into mischief. They enjoyed playing chess and kicking around a soccer ball together. Along with his brothers, Robert attended St Roch’s, his nurturing Central West End neighborhood school through the 8th grade, and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in St. Louis. It was through his Catholic education that Robert affirmed his faith in Christ, even serving as an altar boy during elementary school. He then returned to his parents’ hometown in Nashville to attend Tennessee State University before ultimately receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Louis University.
Robert inherited his passion for learning and love of words from his parents who were acclaimed children’s book authors, even co-writing easy-reader books with them including the titles, “Itching and Twitching” and “Try Your Best,” a classroom reader.
Robert’s kindness was legendary and he freely extended it to everyone he encountered. From volunteering at Sunday dinners with his family’s church at Olive Chapel AME in Kirkwood, MO, to treating his beloved niece and nephews with ice cream outings and a few dollars to put in their pockets, which always brought smiles to their faces.
That kindness also translated into a career in education and working with special needs students in the St. Louis Public School system. His caring spirit pivoted back to his parents in their later years, moving back home to assist them however they needed. After their passing, he then moved to Memphis in 2017 to be closer to his fraternal twin brother.
The family who Bob leaves to mourn his treasured memory are his twin brother, John P. McKissack and sister-in-law Michelle of Memphis, TN; elder brother, Fredrick L. McKissack, Jr. and sister-in-law Lisa of Fort Wayne, IN; his nephews, John Fitzpatrick McKissack, James Everett McKissack, Peter Wesley McKissack, and Mark Fredrick McKissack; his niece, Bliss Elyse McKissack; his uncle, Nolan Carwell of Las Vegas; his aunt, Sara Stuart (David) of Nashville; aunt, Gloria McKissack of Nashville; cousins, Eric McKissack (Cheryl) of Chicago, IL, Nolan M. Carwell of Los Angeles, Torri Carwell of Las Vegas, Willie Davis and Rochelle McKissack, both of Nashville; and a host of other loving, extended family members and dear friends in Memphis, Nashville and St. Louis.
Serenity Funeral Home (901)379-0861.
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Memorial
24
Feb
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
