Natchez — Bob M. Dearing announces that he has qualified and is seeking election to the Mississippi State Senate, District 37, in the Aug. 4 Primary Election. Senate District 37 includes portions of Adams, Amite and Pike Counties, and all of Franklin County.
Dearing was born and raised in Adams County, graduating from Natchez High School. He attended Delta State University where he received a B.S. in education and later earned his master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in administration.
After graduating from Delta State, Dearing coached and taught school and was an elementary principal in the Natchez-Adams County School District for a number of years. He later worked for Science Research Associates (SRA) as an educational specialist. Dearing is currently an independent insurance agent representing AFLAC.
Dearing served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1958-64 and was on active duty in 1958 and again in 1961-1962.
During his prior Senate service representing the citizens of Senate District 37, Dearing served as committee chairman of municipalities, forestry, fees and salaries, environmental protection, highways and transportation and oil and gas (two terms). He also served as vice chairman of the labor, corrections, elections and wildlife, fisheries and parks committees.
Dearing was also appointed by three lieutenant governors to serve on the peer committee.
Dearing is married to the former Shelley Paige Ditzler of Washington,  and they have three children: Bo, Daye and Paige. He and his family are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Natchez, where he has served as elder (three terms), deacon (four terms), Sunday school superintendent (two terms) and, for 37 years, as elementary, junior and senior high Sunday School teacher.
He currently serves as a Christian Education Unit Chairman on the Board of Elders and is secretary/treasurer of the Westminster Sunday School class.
Dearing is a board member of the Natchez Festival of Music, the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society and a committee member of the Alcorn State University MBA Advisory Council.
He is also a founding member of the Miss-Lou Chapter of The National Football Foundation and Coaches Hall of Fame.
In making his announcement for election for the Mississippi State Senate, Dearing stated, “I will sincerely appreciate your vote and support on Aug. 4 for my election back to the Mississippi State Senate and I will be humbled and honored to once again represent you in the Mississippi State Senate.
“I make you the one promise I made when you first elected me as your state senator — I will always work to the very best of my ability to serve each and every citizen of Senate District 37 and represent you in the manner you expect and, most importantly, deserve.”