Robert Lee Everhart, lovingly known throughout the trucking community as "Cowboy" and "Preacher Man," was born to Ralph and Mildred Carroll Everhart in Athens, Tennessee, on January 15, 1958, on a damp and snowy winter day.

Robert was a man who loved life-and perhaps even more than that, he loved the people who shared it with him.

For more than 40 years, Robert made his living over the road as a truck driver. To many, he was known simply as Cowboy, a familiar face and a trusted friend within the trucking community. But those who knew him best knew there was so much more to him than the miles he traveled. He had a childlike heart, a generous spirit, and an unmistakable joy for living. He could find something to laugh about almost anywhere, and he had a way of making the people around him laugh right along with him.

When he wasn't behind the wheel, Robert could often be found doing what he loved most-preaching the gospel, riding horses, riding go-carts, telling stories, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. He never needed much to be happy. Give him an open road, something with wheels, a good story, and people he loved, and he was right where he wanted to be.

For the past 13 years, Robert faithfully attended Open Door Baptist Church alongside his beloved wife, Debra. His faith became an important part of his life, and he cherished the fellowship, friendships, and family he found there.

Above all else, Robert was a family man. His greatest treasures were not the things he owned or the miles he traveled, but the people he loved. He gave freely, loved deeply, laughed loudly, and had a heart that seemed to make room for everyone. His kindness was often quiet and without expectation, but those who received it will carry it with them forever.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 19 years, Debra Collins Everhart, who shared with him nearly two decades of marriage, memories, laughter, faith, and life.

He is also survived by his siblings, in birth order:

Connie Barich

Ronnie (Darlene) Everhart

Vickie Breeden

Donna (Glenn) Compton

Crystal (Mark) Sliger

His children, in birth order:

Chris (Rashonda) Everhart

Joe (Angela) Everhart

Alex (Brittany) Stewart

Kayla (Joshua) Whitfield

His grandchildren, in birth order:

Savannah and Noah Everhart

Lucy and Samuel Church

Collins and Oliver Stewart

Charlotte Whitfield

He is also survived by his beloved great-grandchildren, along with countless friends, fellow truckers, church family, and others whose lives were touched by his generosity, humor, and enormous heart.

Robert leaves behind more than a family tree. He leaves behind stories that will be told for generations, laughter that will echo in the memories of those who knew him, and a love that will continue long after the sound of his truck has faded from the road.

There will be an empty seat at the table now.

An empty place in the driveway.

A quieter road without his truck.

And a little less laughter in the world.

But the people who loved Robert know that his story does not end here.

We know that he is rejoicing in Heaven beyond this life, riding beneath an open sky, wearing his cowboy hat, telling a story that has somehow grown even longer, and laughing that great, unmistakable laugh.

He spent his life traveling the highways, but perhaps the greatest journey he ever made was accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and following Him all the days of his life.

Rest easy, Cowboy.

Your road has finally come to an end.

There will be a celebration of life service on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Open Door Baptist Church. The immediate family welcomes other family members and friends to honor Robert’s memory. Companion Funeral Home of Athens is honored to assist the family during this time.