Longtime area high school football coach Bobby Wells passed away.

The 62-year old died Friday after a long battle with cancer. He was most recently an assistant coach at Riverdale. They shared on Twitter, "With a heavy & broken heart, we share the passing of our coach, teacher, and friend, Bobby Wells. Coach Wells taught health & coached football. He was a mentor & friend to so many of us. Please keep his family & our Riverdale family, football team, & coaches in your prayers."

For three years he was the head coach at Blackman High School from 2005-2008. The next season he joined the staff at Riverdale and prior to his stint at Blackman, was an assistant coach at Smyrna for many years.

Wells' brother Walt, head coach at Eastern Kentucky, tweeted, "How do you put into words what your HERO meant to you!! The Best Big Brother a little brother could ever ask for!"

Smyrna High Football tweeted, "He was a role model for many and touched countless lives with his commitment to students, players and fellow coaches."

WGNS Station Manager and Sports Director Bryan Barrett said, "Coach Wells was always so positive in talking about his players and was well respected by all of the coaches. He would make sure the focus was on his players and not himself. He always seemed to have a smile even when things were tough."

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Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Details are below:

Robert J. “Bobby” Wells was born July 23, 1960, and joined his Lord July 7, 2023, at the age of 62 years.

Bobby is survived by his treasured wife and children. His wife of 37 years Amy, his daughter Mandy (Olivia), and son Ben (Kaitlyn). Bobby was predeceased by his son, Christian Fagan Wells and his beloved father, James Robert Wells.

Bobby is also survived by his mother, Jo Ann Wells; sister Amy Jo Earheart (Chuck); brother Walt (Jennifer); and many extended family, as well as a host of cherished friends, students, players, dedicated coaches and educators.

Bobby was an educator and coach in Rutherford County for 35 years. His passion was always for his students and players. It was his joy and privilege to have influenced generations of young people throughout his career.

While he will be greatly missed, we find solace knowing his legacy lives on through those he touched.

Visitation with the family will be held at First Baptist Church of Murfreesboro, 200 E. Main St. Murfreesboro, TN on Thursday July 13, 2023, from 5:00 until 8:00 pm. A service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving will be held at First Baptist Church of Murfreesboro on Friday at 2:00 pm.

Those who wish to honor Bobby may wear colorful attire to the service, which he would love! In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Bobby may be made to Alive Hospice, Give | Alive Hospice | Donations for Hospice Care or the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Ways to Give | Vanderbilt University Medical Center Giving (vanderbilthealth.org) .