Robert C. "Buster" Kingsley

Robert Clinton Kingsley departed this earthly life for his eternal home on May 19, 2024 at his home on East Main Street in Tupelo at the age of 86.  Robert, also known as “Buster” was born to James Robert and Katie Lee Kingsley on September 8, 1937 in Tupelo.  After marrying the love of his life, Betty Jo Turner, on December 31, 1959, and they together raised their four children.  He was a wonderful example of what a Christian husband and father should be, guiding and inspiring his family with patience, perseverance, and purpose to love the Lord and to love others.  Earlier in his life, Robert worked for Weatherall Printing.  Although he enjoyed his employment there, he felt a stronger need to share the gospel of Christ so he and his family moved to Dallas, Texas where he attended Preston Road School of Preaching for the next two years.  Robert preached for over 40 years, ministering first in Monticello, Mississippi for a total of eight years before relocating back to North Mississippi where he spent the next 14 years preaching at Verona church of Christ.  The next 18 years were spent preaching for the Highway 15 church of Christ located in Pontotoc.  He retired from full time preaching at the age of 70, but never retired from personal evangelism.  His love for souls was evident and he was determined to try to take with him to heaven as many as possible.

Robert leaves behind his four children, Connie Jo Kingsley, Terry Clinton Kingsley (Sherry), Randy DeWayne Kingsley, and Tannis Reneé Kingsley (Neal); his sister, Lawanda Jane McCaskill.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Justin Mullins (Brittany), Jeremy Mullins (Shannon), Frank Bensieck V,(Leslie), Clinton Kingsley (Kassi), and Kelton Kingsley (Becca), Tanner Crabb, and Lacey Crabb; and 12 great-grandchildren.  

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Betty Jo Turner Kingsley; his parents, James Robert Katie Lee Kingsley; and his sister, Brenda Nichols.
A celebration of Robert’s life will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues Funeral Directors with Barry Kennedy and Michael Wilson officiating.  Visitation will be 12 p.m. until service time at Pegues, Tupelo.  Burial will be in Crossroads Cemetery.  

Pallbearers will be Clinton Kingsley, Kelton Kingsley, Jeremy Mullins, Justin Mullins, Frank Bensieck V, and Kent Nichols.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tanner Crabb, Lacey Crabb, and the many young men Robert mentored over the years, including Mark Lindley, David Paden, Michael Bates, and Glen Alexander who all became ministers.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com.