Bobby Lee Cogdell

– Bobby Lee Cogdell, age 79, of Lexington, passed away on August 23, 2025. Bobby was born on August 24, 1945, at the home of his grandmother, Ollie Hemby in the Blue Goose community in Henderson County, Tennessee. His parents were the late John Henry Cogdell and the late Ola Hemby Gardner; late grandparents were Sam and Ollie Hemby and Wash and Lena Cogdell. A lifelong resident of Lexington, he anchored his life around the model of service. His health and life insurance career stood at the heart of that calling: as the owner of Cogdell Insurance, he helped countless families and businesses navigate life’s uncertainties with integrity, guided by his personal motto, “Service is our policy.” His legacy in the field continues today through children and grandchildren who carry on that same commitment to service. Beyond his vocation, Bobby was a born again Christian and a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Lexington and the Jack Hay Sunday School class. He served as an alderman for the City of Lexington, gaining respect for his steady presence and principled leadership. His concern for others also extended into education. In memory of his father, he established the John Henry Cogdell Memorial Scholarship and several other scholarships, assisting hardworking Lexington High School students, especially those facing financial challenges. Together, these efforts reflect Bobby’s conviction that young people should be given the opportunity to succeed. Bobby was an outdoorsman and managed his farms for wildlife habitat and resources. He was an avid deer hunter. Mr. Cogdell was a dedicated believer in being a good steward of our planet and clean energy resources. Bobby & Shirley built their dream home in his beloved Blue Goose community on the land he used to hunt with this dad. Later in life, Bobby was blessed to find love with Shirley Singleton Cogdell. Married for 18 years, the two built a life they loved together. They shared a deep companionship, enjoying both hard work and travel side by side. To those who knew them, Bobby and Shirley were partners in every sense, supporting one another with loyalty, laughter, and devotion. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Singleton Cogdell with his stepson Greg Singleton and in remembrance his stepdaughter Rhonda (Jeff) Gaston. His children from his first marriage to Rebecca Fay include Felecia Fay (Ronald) Potts, Lee Cogdell, John Christopher “Chris” (Michele) Cogdell, and Rebecca Elizabeth “Becky” (Jeremy) Harkins. His extended family includes grandchildren and greatgrandchildren: Ben Potts (in remembrance), Stephanie (Michael) Stanford and their children Desiree, Chloe (Jayln), and Nathan, Josh (Jodie) Potts, Katie Potts (Randal) and her children Maggie and Liam, Alix (Dylan) Potts, Gaby Shannon, Sam (Krista) Shannon and their daughters Janae and Kalyn, Natalie Cogdell, Ashlynn Cogdell, Cole (Madison) Harkins, Bailey Eshleman, Kylie Harkins, Carter Harkins, Taylor (Murray) Young and their daughter Vera and Olivia Gaston. Bobby will be remembered as a man of strong convictions, firm opinions, and steadfast presence — qualities that shaped his work, his service, and his legacy in Henderson County. Visitation will be held at Reeds Chapel Funeral Home, on Sunday 4PM-9PM, Monday 10AM-9PM, and at the First Baptist Church on Tuesday from 9AM until the Celebration of Life service at 1PM. Burial will take place at the Cogdell Family Cemetery in Blue Goose. He will be the seventh generation Cogdell buried there.

Bobby Lee Cogdell

August 24, 1945 - August 23, 2025