Newport - Robert Arthur "Papa Bob" West, age 83, passed away Wednesday evening, Nov 18 at Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern.

A graveside service to remember and celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Nov 21, 2020 at Dilda Cemetery in Fountain. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. Pastor Rev. Rick Aldridge, Rev. David West, and Rev. Alvis Pollard will officiate.

Robert was born in Edgecombe County, the son of Henry Arthur and Mary Ethel West. He was married to his first wife, the late Barbara Jean Dilda West for 52 years. He was a member of Carteret Baptist Church in Newport, NC. Robert dearly loved his family and was lovingly known to his grandchildren and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews as Papa Bob. He loved to make people smile. His favorite pastimes were fishing, metal detecting, traveling, playing practical jokes, performing Christian skits, chaperoning at The Wilds, and playing Parcheesi and Scrabble. He was truly loved by family and friends and will be deeply missed.

Surviving are his wife, Nancy; two sons, Alvis and wife, Brenda of Gallipolis, Ohio and Brian of Rocky Mount; one daughter, Michelle Allen of Rocky Mount; 9 grandchildren, Meredith, Amy, Bo, Laura, Sommer, Jesse, Cody, Kaitland and Caroline; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, David and wife, Joyce of Kenly, NC and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean, parents, Henry and Ethel West, one brother, Freddie Carl West, three sisters, Elizabeth Storms, Margie Alderman, and Betty Casper.