Robert “Bobby” Graham Groves

Robert "Bobby" Graham Groves, 71, of Culpeper, Virginia, passed away on March 20, 2026, at home surrounded by his beloved wife, daughter, and grandchildren.

Born on January 24, 1955, in Arlington, Virginia, he was the son of the late Katherine M. Groves and Lloyd Earl "Skippy" Groves, Jr. Bobby was preceded in death by his brother, Christopher “Chris” Groves.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Evelyn "Evie" Groves, and daughter, Amber D. Groves of Culpeper, Virginia; stepdaughters, Gina Lannon (Pat), of Fairfax, Virginia, and Chrissie Fields, of Midlothian, Virginia. He is also survived by his siblings, Linda Mohler (Larry) of Indian Head, Maryland; Kenneth "Kenny" Groves of Indian Head, Maryland; Dianne Proctor of California, Maryland; Sharon Farncomb (Bob) of LaPlata, Maryland; and many nieces and nephews.

He leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Isabella “Bella” Groves, Juliana “Jules” Groves, and Christian Groves, who lovingly called him Pop Pop and shared many years of life with him in his home. He is also remembered with love by Sarah, Jacob, Ethan, and Rachel Lannon, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy. Bobby’s legacy continues through his first great-grandson, Kalibri Romena, whose arrival marked a special chapter in his life, and he was eagerly anticipating the arrival of his next great-grandson, Ezekiel, just weeks after his passing.

From the moment Amber was born, Bobby made her the center of his life. One of Bobby’s proudest moments was seeing Amber graduate from nursing school and begin her career as a nurse. Amber later blessed Bobby with what he cherished most, his beloved grandchildren.

Bobby enjoyed preparing delicious meals for his family and cherished relaxing getaways to Ocean City, the nostalgic little sandy beach town where he spent many joyful summers as both a child and later with his own family. He especially treasured the tradition of picking a bushel of crabs with his father and siblings, creating lasting memories that remained close to his heart. Bobby was also known for his love of chocolate marshmallow ice cream, black and white milkshakes, and for always keeping Juicy Fruit gum on hand.

At home, Bobby took great pride in his beautifully landscaped lawn and vibrant flowers. He had a deep affection for his dogs, cherishing their companionship and the joy they brought to his family. Known for his playful spirit, Bobby often gave nicknames to those he cared about—an enduring reflection of his affection and the special place each person held in his life. Did Bobby really know you if you didn’t have a nickname that he proudly picked out for you?

Bobby was known for his vibrant sense of humor and his love of pranks, bringing laughter to those around him. His warmth and laughter will forever echo in the hearts of his family and friends. He had a deep passion for the people and things he loved most, including his appreciation for music. Bobby often enjoyed listening to the timeless voices of Elvis Presley and Engelbert Humperdinck, whose songs provided the soundtrack to many of his most cherished memories. As a child, his favorite song was “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” later famously covered by Elvis. For Bobby and Evie, “After the Lovin’” by Engelbert held special meaning as their love song throughout their life together. After the release of the 2022 film Elvis, starring Austin Butler, the family fondly reflected on the many years spent enjoying Elvis’s music and the joy it brought them. Bobby was fortunate to see both Elvis and Engelbert in concert several times and was well known for sharing his love of Elvis songs through karaoke.

Bobby had a deep love for sports, a love he inherited from his father. In his youth, he played on basketball teams and spent countless hours shooting hoops with his brothers, Kenny and Chris, forming bonds that extended far beyond the court. He remained a loyal supporter of the Washington Redskins and Washington Nationals, and his enthusiasm was unmistakable whether watching games at home or in the stadium. Bobby also took great pride in his collection of sports memorabilia, with each piece holding a story and meaningful memory. He enjoyed the excitement of harness racing and cherished evenings spent at Rosecroft Raceway.

He delighted in handicapping horse racing and had a column in the newspaper with the byline "Pacing Ace." His greatest and most enduring pick was his wife, Evie, whom he was reacquainted with at Rosecroft RacewaWith his love of sports, he followed in his father’s footsteps, and he became a sportswriter for the Washington Star and Washington Times. The greatest sports events he witnessed were of his beloved grandchildren. He was an avid supporter of each of his grandchildren’s sports teams. Whether it was his granddaughter’s “Bella and Jules” basketball, soccer, and track teams or Christian’s football, basketball, track, or baseball team, you could count on him for memorizing every statistic of each competition. Bobby was ever so proud of his grandson, Christian, making the varsity football team as a freshman. All three grandchildren excelled on their high school teams. You can still hear his voice above all others, cheering on his adored grandchildren.

Above all, he was a loving son, husband, devoted father, stepfather and proud grandfather. Bobby often spoke of how his bride, Evie, was more beautiful than the day he married her. His greatest joy came from time spent with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren, who were the center of his world. His legacy lives on in the memories he created, the stories he told, and the love that will continue to grow in his family.