Obituary of Robert McEady

Robert McEady , the 6th child of the late Melvin and Roxy McEady was born on February 3, 1936 at home on Muffet Street in Camden N.J. Robert was known to his family as Bobby, Mac, or Roach. He departed this life on Tuesday November 9, 2021. In 1956 Robert met Shirley Patricia Lawrence at a dance. They were married 6 months later. They raised 6 children, Kevin (died at birth), Vivian, Ramona, Selemah, Rasheedah, and Tiffany. He attended Camden Public School System and graduated from Camden High. He also attended Camden County College. He grew up in Branch Village where he played all sports. He loved baseball and almost made it to the Major Leagues. His occupation was a Substation Mechanic at PSE&G where he was awarded many accolades. He retired in 2000 after working 31 years at the company. He held many jobs from the time he was 8 years old including working at Molly’s store in Camden; Campbell Soup during Highschool, (where he used his brother Calvin’s ID to get the job because he was too young); Life Insurance salesman; and professional photographer to name a few. Showing his strong character from a young age, Robert would split his paycheck in half to give to his mother to help with household bills. He always had a positive outlook on life even when faced with adversity. Education was important and he taught his children and grandchildren all about their black heritage and to have pride in themselves. Later in life, he was an integral part of the family daycare. The past 20 years he was known as Mr. Bobby as he sat up front, waiting for his wife Shirley or one of his grandchildren, at Bundle of Joy, Jump for Joy, and Above & Beyond. He always wanted to help in anyway he could, financially, physically or showing up to be an extra set of hands. During his final years, family had to make him “actually retire”, and go home to relax. Robert had a huge heart and has always been the patriarch of his family. Family was everything to him. He took on a leadership role in his extended family and often assisted with helping to solve problems. Whether it was buying a needed layette set for a cousin’s baby, putting a call in to help protect a family member, or giving financial assistance HE ALWAYS HELPED. He had strong determination to keep his family together and protect it at all costs. If you were in a room with him, loving, funny, and sometimes daring family stories from the past and present is all you heard. He loved soul jazz and would blast it through the house in the evenings. John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk were some of his favorites. He was predeceased by his parents, Melvin and Roxy; brothers Jerry and Calvin McEady and sisters Melvina Wilson and Janet Robinson; daughters Vivian Lindsey, Rasheedah McEady and son Kevin McEady; granddaughter Ashlee Lindsey. Robert leaves to treasure his memory his loving wife Shirley Patricia McEady, daughters Ramona McEady Jones (Donald Jones), Selemah Bavonne McDaniel (Walter McDaniel), and Tiffany Lawrence; grandchildren Jawna Jones, Alisa Holland (Christian Holland), Brandi Jones, Querida Lindsey, Nikkelle Walker (Anthony Walker), Ronnie Barnes, Novae Barnes, Arman McDaniel, Kyla Lawrence, Kayden Haith; great-grandchildren Knyle Woods, Jaelen Belcher, Milan Holland, Christian Holland, Leah Walker, great, great-grandchild Legend Woods, sisters Grace McEady, Elizabeth Smith, Joan Goodwater, two brothers Thomas McEady and Phillip McEady, and a host of family and friends. Sorrowfully submitted, The Family