University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Athletics Mourns the Passing of Bobby Dews
2/23/2026 10:00:00 AM | General
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Athletics mourns the death of former Athletic Foundation president Bobby Dews, who passed away last week.
"Bobby was instrumental in the development of the Circle of Champions program and the creation of the USM Athletic Foundation, serving as its third president," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain. "He will be greatly missed as both a friend and supporter who always wanted the best for Southern Miss. We offer not only our sincere condolences to Patty and the family, but our gratitude for his contribution to the University."
A Southern Miss graduate and loyal supporter of Golden Eagle athletics, Dews was an Honor Club member at the President's Circle level as well as a Circle of Champions member.
Dews, 75, a lifelong resident of the community, was a 1968 graduate of Hattiesburg High School, where he played basketball for the Tigers. He was active in athletics and remained a devoted sports fan throughout his life. After graduation, Dews attended Southern Miss, following in his father's footsteps as a Golden Eagle athlete, and played basketball for the freshman team. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration.
While at Southern Miss, Bobby was active in Kappa Sigma Fraternity, where he formed lifelong friendships and, thanks to his fraternity brother Jimmy Buffett, became a devoted Parrot Head.
In 1971, Dews married Patty Overstreet Dews, and shared 55 years together. He was a proud and loyal supporter of Southern Miss and remained closely involved in Golden Eagle athletics throughout his life.
Dews spent his entire career with C.L. Dews and Sons Foundry & Machinery Company, Inc. serving as Vice President until his retirement in 2020. For more than forty years, he helped guide the company through seasons of growth and change.
Dews rarely missed a chance to cheer on the Golden Eagles, and his pride in the University was both constant and contagious. His final outing was spent celebrating a Southern Miss basketball victory alongside his children.
That devotion led him to serve the University in many meaningful ways. He was a lifetime member of the Southern Miss Alumni Association and served on the Board of Directors for the USM Foundation. He was a proud member of the M-Club and the Circle of Champions and served on the Executive Board of the USM Athletic Foundation. Bobby was past president of the USM Kappa Sigma Fraternity Housing Corporation, a recipient of the fraternity's Outstanding Service Award, and a member of the USM School of Engineering Technology's Advisory Committee. Together, he and Patty were Association for Excellence members of the Honor Club with the USM Foundation.
He also served as Chairman of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, was a board member of the Hattiesburg Convention Center, and co-chaired the Mississippi chapter of the United States Olympic Committee. Bobby was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg, where he faithfully served as a deacon.
The devoted husband, father, and proud grandfather is survived by his wife, Patty Overstreet Dews; his son, Robert Carrington Dews Jr. (Rachel); and his daughter, Lucy Dews Jussely (Daniel), all of Hattiesburg.
He leaves behind five grandchildren, including Daniel Dews Jussely, Sterling Elizabeth Dews, Hallie Carrington Jussely, Stella Claire Dews, and Carrington Lane Dews.
Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday, February 24, at 1 p.m. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in his name to the First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg, or the USM Athletic Foundation.
First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg
4901 Hardy Street PO Box 15458
Hattiesburg, MS 39402 Hattiesburg, MS 39404
Southern Miss Athletic Foundation
PO Box 15458
Hattiesburg, MS 39404
"Bobby was instrumental in the development of the Circle of Champions program and the creation of the USM Athletic Foundation, serving as its third president," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain. "He will be greatly missed as both a friend and supporter who always wanted the best for Southern Miss. We offer not only our sincere condolences to Patty and the family, but our gratitude for his contribution to the University."
A Southern Miss graduate and loyal supporter of Golden Eagle athletics, Dews was an Honor Club member at the President's Circle level as well as a Circle of Champions member.
Dews, 75, a lifelong resident of the community, was a 1968 graduate of Hattiesburg High School, where he played basketball for the Tigers. He was active in athletics and remained a devoted sports fan throughout his life. After graduation, Dews attended Southern Miss, following in his father's footsteps as a Golden Eagle athlete, and played basketball for the freshman team. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration.
While at Southern Miss, Bobby was active in Kappa Sigma Fraternity, where he formed lifelong friendships and, thanks to his fraternity brother Jimmy Buffett, became a devoted Parrot Head.
In 1971, Dews married Patty Overstreet Dews, and shared 55 years together. He was a proud and loyal supporter of Southern Miss and remained closely involved in Golden Eagle athletics throughout his life.
Dews spent his entire career with C.L. Dews and Sons Foundry & Machinery Company, Inc. serving as Vice President until his retirement in 2020. For more than forty years, he helped guide the company through seasons of growth and change.
Dews rarely missed a chance to cheer on the Golden Eagles, and his pride in the University was both constant and contagious. His final outing was spent celebrating a Southern Miss basketball victory alongside his children.
That devotion led him to serve the University in many meaningful ways. He was a lifetime member of the Southern Miss Alumni Association and served on the Board of Directors for the USM Foundation. He was a proud member of the M-Club and the Circle of Champions and served on the Executive Board of the USM Athletic Foundation. Bobby was past president of the USM Kappa Sigma Fraternity Housing Corporation, a recipient of the fraternity's Outstanding Service Award, and a member of the USM School of Engineering Technology's Advisory Committee. Together, he and Patty were Association for Excellence members of the Honor Club with the USM Foundation.
He also served as Chairman of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, was a board member of the Hattiesburg Convention Center, and co-chaired the Mississippi chapter of the United States Olympic Committee. Bobby was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg, where he faithfully served as a deacon.
The devoted husband, father, and proud grandfather is survived by his wife, Patty Overstreet Dews; his son, Robert Carrington Dews Jr. (Rachel); and his daughter, Lucy Dews Jussely (Daniel), all of Hattiesburg.
He leaves behind five grandchildren, including Daniel Dews Jussely, Sterling Elizabeth Dews, Hallie Carrington Jussely, Stella Claire Dews, and Carrington Lane Dews.
Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday, February 24, at 1 p.m. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in his name to the First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg, or the USM Athletic Foundation.
First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg
4901 Hardy Street PO Box 15458
Hattiesburg, MS 39402 Hattiesburg, MS 39404
Southern Miss Athletic Foundation
PO Box 15458
Hattiesburg, MS 39404
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