Former Mississippi Sen. Bob Dearing dies at 85

Posted: Jul 30, 2020 / 02:14 PM CDT

Updated: Jul 30, 2020 / 04:39 PM CDT

NATCHEZ, Miss. (WJTV) – According to the Natchez Democrat, former Mississippi Sen. Bob Dearing passed away on Thursday, July 30, in Natchez. Dearing was 85.

Born in Natchez in 1935, Dearing was the son of Weenonah Montgomery and Robert V. Dearing. He was married to Shelley Paige Ditzler Dearing and had three children, Bo, Daye and Paige.

Dearing was elected to the Mississippi State Senate in 1980 and served for 36 years. He retired from the senate in 2019.

Bob Dearing was my first chairman as a state senator in 1988. We have been friends ever since. We’ve worked on many issues and shared many laughs. I will miss him.https://t.co/X90z9DJF0F
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) July 30, 2020

It is with a heavy heart myself and my fellow Democratic colleagues today mourn the passing of retired Senator Bob Dearing of Natchez, who throughout his 36 year, eight term tenure remained loyal to the party and its ideals.
Senator Dearing always sought to benefit the state, the education system and his district. He was an advocate of any legislation that bettered Mississippi. He advocated animal welfare, sponsoring a major dog-fighting bill – with a two year first offense conviction – that was signed into law by Governor Phil Bryant.
Dearing was elected to the senate in 1980 and decided not to run again in January 2019. Dearing was 85 years old.
District 12 Mississippi Senator Derrick T. Simmons, Senate Democrat Minority Leader