Robert F. Deaton, age 81 passed away at NHC on Saturday, May 16, 2015. He was the son of the late Clyde M. Deaton and Annie Hull Deaton and was a native of Lincoln County, NC but had called Murfreesboro home since 1965. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Before entering college, he served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Later he received his BA Degree from Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory NC and a M.Ed. from MTSU. He began his teaching career in Orlando FL where he met his wife to be. Before moving to Murfreesboro he had taught in NC for three years. He retired from Rutherford County Schools in 1994 as the Title I director. Prior to that, he had taught in LaVergne, Smyrna and at McFadden. Mr. Deaton was preceded in death by his brothers, James Hoyle and Donald Deaton. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara Clardy Deaton; son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Melody Deaton of Murfreesboro and daughter, Marla Deaton of Chattanooga; four grandchildren, Molly Elizabeth Deaton, Megan Nicole Deaton, Samuel Jay Deaton and Macy Katherine Deaton. He is also survived by a sister, Frances D. Leatherman of Newton, NC. Visitation will be Tuesday from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 p.m. with funeral service following at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Dr. Noel Schoonmaker will officiate. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, with members of the King's Men Sunday School Class serving as pallbearers. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Mr. Deaton's caregivers at NHC. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church or the King's Men Sunday School Class.