Robbie Underwood

MRS. ROBBIE UNDERWOOD

Mrs. Robbie Fay Baggett Underwood, age 89, of Columbus, MS, passed away July 3, 2020, at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS.  Graveside service will be Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at 11:00 AM at Friendship Cemetery with Billy Ferguson officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory, 903 College St. location.

Mrs. Underwood was born February 2, 1931, in Rogersville, AL, to the late Robert O’Neal and Ethel Haraway Baggett.  She was a graduate of Lauderdale County High School.  Mrs. Underwood retired from South Central Bell Telephone Company after 28 years and the Columbus Municipal School District after 12 years.  She was an active member of the Columbus Church of Christ.  In addition to her parents and twelve siblings, she was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard Edward Underwood.

Mrs. Underwood grew up on a farm in Rogersville, Alabama.  She met her husband Maynard on a blind date and they were married for 47 years until his death in 2002.  She was passionate about her work and began her career as a telephone operator for BellSouth in Sheffield, AL. She worked her way up and was one of the first females to hold a man’s job at South Central Bell in Columbus.  After retiring from the telephone company, she became an assistant teacher at Franklin Academy.  After her second retirement, Mrs. Underwood enjoyed traveling with her church group ‘The Prime Timers’, volunteering with the Telephone Pioneers charity and serving with the Columbus Church of Christ Nursing Home Ministry for 20 years. She also enjoyed gathering for monthly luncheons with the Arrington Park Neighborhood Ladies Group, her friends from the Franklin Retired Teachers Group, and celebrating birthdays with her special ladies club. However, her happiest days were spent sitting around a bridge table with her dear bridge friends engaging in challenging games and joyous laughter.

Survivors include her daughters, Dana Underwood McLean of Columbus, MS, and Diahn Underwood Brauss and her husband Kevin of Tampa, FL, and granddaughters Madison O’Neal McLean and Avery Nicole Brauss. Her granddaughters were the loves of her life and her utmost pride and joy.

Pallbearers include Kevin Brauss, Mike Smith, Dan Harris, Les Chaffin, Shawn Dickey and Paul Bennett. Honorary pallbearers include the Columbus Church of Christ members & The Prime Timers and her beloved bridge friends.

Memorials may be made to Columbus Church of Christ, 2401 7th St. North, Columbus, MS, 39705.