Bobby Culpepper

Biography

Culpepper was one of seven children of Edward Chester Culpepper (1912-2005), a farmer, and the former Myrtle Perry (1915-2010), who are interred at Gayla Traina Memorial Cemetery in Jonesboro. In 1959, Culpepper graduated as the valedictorian of Jonesboro-Hodge High School. He studied thereafter in Baton Rouge at Louisiana State University and the Louisiana State University Law Center, from which he graduated in January 1966. After law school, he was the clerk for Judge Albert Tate, Jr., then presiding over the Louisiana Court of Appeal for the Third Circuit, based in Lake Charles. Thereafter, he entered the military police section of the United States Army as a first lieutenant. He was discharged in 1968 as a captain. He remained in the Army Reserve until 1971.

In 1968, Culpepper began practicing law in the state and federal courts from his office in Jonesboro, which he maintained until his death in West Monroe of a sudden illness at the age of seventy-four. Under three district attorneys, he was an assistant DA for Jackson, Bienville, and Claiborne parishes. He was also an assistant state attorney general. He was active in various bar associations and legal organizations, including Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Alpha Delta fraternities, the American Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Judicature Society.

Culpepper was active in Lions and Kiwanis International, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Cancer Society, the American Legion, and the LSU Alumni Association. He was a board member of the Jimmie Davis Tabernacle Foundation, which honors the former governor of Louisiana Jimmie Davis, a native of Jackson Parish and a nationally-known singer. Culpepper was one of the first inductees into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame. Culpepper was the president of the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame. A die-hard LSU Tigers supporter, he was an original member of the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation.

He was an aide-de-camp on the governor's staff for both John McKeithen and Edwin Edwards. Culpepper was the longest serving member of the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee, on which his tenure extended from 1968 until his death. He was also the long-term chairman of the Jackson Parish Democratic Executive Committee, a post that he assumed in 1976. He was a delegate to the 1976 Democratic National Convention, which met in New York City to nominate the successful Carter-Mondale ticket. He also served on committees for Republican and Democratic candidates and on advisory committees for presidents of both parties. He was an active Southern Baptist, a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro.

Jonesboro Mayor James E. Bradford described Culpepper as "a meticulous and dedicated attorney, father, friend and servant. Bobby was the soldier who fought for those who needed him, and he desired to see the very best for our town. If there were ever a person who loved Jonesboro, it was Bobby Culpepper. He was witty, trustworthy, hardworking, and wise. It was an honor to have considered him a friend. ..."

Culpepper and his wife, the former Elizabeth Estelle "Beth" Walker, whom he wed in 1964, have a daughter, Teresa Loyce Culpepper Carroll, and her husband Clay, of Jonesboro; and a son, William Todd Culpepper and his wife Laura, of Quitman, also in Jackson Parish. A second son, Nathan Bradley Culpepper, is deceased. Both Culpepper children are involved in the legal system. He had five grandchildren and six siblings. He is interred at Transport Cemetery in Dodson in Winn Parish.

Culpepper in 2012 published Objection, Your Honor: The Story of a Country Lawyer.