Robert Earl Standland, passed away on May 23, 2026 in Dothan, AL at Flowers Hospital.
Robert Earl was born on June 4, 1933 in Malone, FL to Ruby Lee Baxter (deceased) and Robert Lee Standland (deceased) at his grandparents’ home (Charles Lee Baxter and Melissa Lee Walding, deceased) which today is located on the property where the Dollar General store is located. They lived for a few years in Malone on Main St. with his sister, Vivian (deceased) before moving to Marianna to Chipola St. where he grew up. He graduated from Marianna High School, class of 1953 where he was active in Boy Scouts Troop 36, football, basketball, FFA and Student Council President.
He was one of several young men who would be students at the new Chipola College site who worked digging stumps up and planting red bud and dogwood trees on the 20-acre Campus. Robert Earl was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict where he was honorably discharged due to the silver plate in his left leg, which he broke while playing team football at MHS. His family attended First Baptist Church where in 1945 at the age of twelve, he was baptized.
He and Erma Nadine Peacock married the 4th of June 1959 by Rev. Doug Watterson at First Baptist Church of Marianna. Rev. Watterson asked them to help develop Eastside Baptist Church mission. After a few years of growth, they returned to First Baptist Church where he was a faithful member of the Fisherman’s Sunday School Class. He and Nadine were Training Union teachers for the Juniors Class.
Robert Earl and wife, Nadine along with two other couples developed Country Club Hills Estates where they also built and lived until 1971 before moving back to Reddock Rd. to farm cows and horses. Robert Earl had a passion for Registered American Quarter Horses from childhood where he rode his first horse on Mr. Guy Turner’s Dairy Farm, which is the Chipola College Campus that extended to the Chipola River. Owning and selling King bloodline and Three Bars bloodline horses at Stud as well as showing in competition at the local, state and national level with several national wins. The family also enjoyed and sponsored many trail riding events in this area. Robert Earl was the Jackson County Sheriff’s Posse founder and show chairman for many horse shows in the area which supported many youth in the Tri-State area. The family traveled the south east in horse competition which included Western Saddle and English Saddle. The last horse he sold was in 2012.
He was a member of Kiwanis Club where he served as Vice President from 1987 to 1988, and President from 1988 to 1989. He was the Warehouse Manager at Jackson Correctional in Malone from construction phase and several years after construction.
He designed the horse trail at Florida Caverns State Park. He was a business man for many years working for and owning several businesses including being employed by Quality Company Inc. as the Assistant Manager of nine clothing stores in Florida and Alabama for 22 years, before Bill Reddoch, owner of Quality Co. Inc. closed all nine stores. Robert Earl was known to hire many young people for their first job, many who become store owners, educators, preachers and bankers. He owned and sold the following business: Montgomery Ward Catalog Store, Turner’s Dept. Store, John Deere Tractor, and Standland Men’s & Boy’s Wear.
Robert Earl was employed by Harris Polk Hat Co. founded in 1860 located in St. Louis, MO. Robert Earl was also employed by State Dept Labor, Dept of Health and Rehabilitation Services, Founder and Developer and Board Chairman of Jackson County Christian School, worked for U.S. Congressman Don Fuqua as Field Representative for District 2, and U.S. Field Representative for US Congressman Bill Grant. He was also employed as a Deputy Clerk with Jackson County Clerk of Courts office for three different Clerks including Dawn Crews, Dale Guthrie and Clay Rooks for 22 yrs. He was one of the organizers and cooks for the annual Farm City Day which began November of 1974. Robert Earl had the privilege to cater for Presidents, Congressman, Representatives and Governors cooking smoked steaks, making Brunswick stew and fish fries for church and other organizations.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nadine Peacock Standland. They have three children: Cynthia Carol Alford of Bainbridge, GA, Robert David Standland (Tammy) of Sneads, FL and Kevin Ashley Standland of Marianna, FL; grandchildren, Walter Kyle Hewett (Michelle) of Marianna, FL, Robert Seth Hewett (Lynsey) of Grand Ridge, FL, Katie Alford Mims (Taylor) of Killeen, TX, Freddy Edward Alford, III (Tripp) of Bainbridge, GA, Dylan Linton Standland (Fiancé Trish) of Marianna, FL, Hayes Jacob Standland (Jenna) of Marianna, FL, Layleigh Standland-Adams (Trent) of Marianna, FL; great-grandchildren, Ashtyn Frances Hewitt, Alydiah Reann Standland, Remeigh Tate Adams, Jaxon Cash Standland, Layton Kruze Adams, Miley Dawn Adams, Adelyn Mae Adams, all of Marianna; nephew, Jimmy Davis (Suzanne) of Monroeville, AL; niece, Vickie Davis Burgess of Jacksonville; as well as many other great nieces, nephews & cousins.
A graveside funeral service will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Collins Chapel Cemetery in Malone, FL, with Pastor Gary Cook officiating and Marianna Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Those serving as pallbearers include: Kyle Hewett, Seth Hewett, Dylan Standland, Hayes Standland, Trent Adams and great granddaughter, Ashtyn Hewett.
The family welcomes memorial contributions to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105 or The Gideons International, Marianna Camp, P.O. Box 293 Marianna, FL 32447 as well as FFA – Marianna High School, 3546 Caverns Rd. 32446.
Funeral services are entrusted to the Lambe Family at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home.
