Robert Alvin Orr, 97, passed away peacefully at his home on September 3, 2025. A life-long servant of the Lord, Robert will be remembered for his warm sweet way with people, the sparkle in his eyes and his ready smile. Robert was raised in Bryson City, North Carolina, graduating from Swain County High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University, and both a master’s degree and Ph. D from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. In his early adulthood, Robert served in the United States Army as a Corporal, taught public school History, French, and Music, and served churches as a Minister of Music, Education and Youth. After seminary, Robert moved to Nashville to work in Christian Education publishing at the Baptist Sunday School Board, now Lifeway, where he worked until he retired. Robert was a lifelong music lover, vocalist and instrumentalist, playing his clarinet well into his 90’s and enjoyed singing, even in his last days.
Robert is preceded in death by his brother John Lewis Orr, Jr. his mother Nancy Orr and his father, John Lewis Orr. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen Freeman Orr, his daughter Stephanie Pope and her husband Jeff, his son John Robert Orr and his wife Darla and his four grandchildren Ashley and Ryan Pope and Bryson and Robert Orr.
A visitation for Robert will be held Monday, September 8, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM at Moss Service Funeral Home, 1901 2nd Ave North West, Cullman, AL 35055. A celebration of life will occur Monday, September 8, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 1901 2nd Ave North West, Cullman, AL 35055. A graveside service will occur Monday, September 8, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204.
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Baptist Cullman building fund.
Moss Service Funeral Home directing.
