Robert Lee Steiding

NEWTON…Mr. Robert Lee “Bobby” Steiding, a resident of Newton, died late Monday evening, June 29, 2026, in the emergency room of a Dothan hospital. He was 60.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 3, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Bimbo Turner officiating. Burial will follow in Newton City Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home.

Mr. Steiding, son of the late Donald Eugene Steiding and Edith Mae Maxwell Steiding, was a proud native and lifelong resident of Newton, a place he carried in his heart wherever he went. He grew up surrounded by the familiar roads, faces, and rhythms of the community he loved, and he attended Dale County High School, where he formed friendships and memories that stayed with him throughout his life.

In his earlier years, he poured his determination and work ethic into owning and operating Hard Luck Trucking, a venture that reflected both his grit and his willingness to take on any challenge. Later, he continued his career on the road with Jimmy Jones Trucking, where he was known for his reliability, his easy laugh, and the stories he collected along the miles.

He found joy in simple pleasures—riding motorcycles with the wind at his back, casting a line into quiet waters, and savoring the peace that came with being outdoors. But nothing meant more to him than time spent with his family. He cherished every moment shared around a table, in a yard, or on a porch, especially those spent with his grandchildren and great‑grandchildren. They were the light of his life, and he delighted in watching them grow, laugh, and discover the world.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Steve Maxwell, and his brother‑in‑law, James Liles. Though he has left this earthly home, the love he gave, the stories he told, and the strength he carried will remain in the hearts of all who knew him.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Janet Penley Steiding, Newton; son, Scottie Penley (Jessica), Newton; two sisters, Linda Liles (Kenneth Atwood), Kinsey and Gloria Watson (Heavy), Newton; two grandchildren, Ally Chandler (Eddie) and Logan Penley; three great-grandchildren, Avaleigh Golden, Elliana Golden, and Beau Chandler; mother-in-law, Barbara Kirk (Charles), Wicksburg; sister-in-law, Teresa Brock (Scott), Cowarts; brother-in-law, Ricky Penley (Bridget), Dothan; close family friends, Jimmy and Lucy Jones, Ariton and John T. Starboard; nieces, nephews, and cousins.