Barbara Jean Davis McClure

Barbara Jean Davis "Bobbie" McClure, age 87, of Laurinburg, North Carolina, passed away on September 23, 2023. She was born on December 31, 1935, in Waynesville, North Carolina, to the late Floyd Asbury Davis and Maude Parrot Davis. In addition to her parents, Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Edwin McClure, Jr., her brother Leslie Davis, her sister, Louise Davis Chambers, her nephew Phillip Chambers, and her grandson, Walker Evans. Bobbie, known for her loving nature and creativity, was a devoted mother and a cherished grandmother. She found joy in her role as a grandmother to Kenna Berg, Johanna Berg, Catherine Evans, Isaac Evans, and Alexander Evans. She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Mary Frances McClure (Mark Merryman) and Leslie McClure Evans (Troy Evans) as well as her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends. Throughout her life, Bobbie had a passion for music. She was a talented organist and choir director beginning at age 13 in Waynesville, NC. She played the organ for various United Methodist events, including the Annual Conference at Duke Chapel and Methodist College. Bobbie's musical talents also led her to serve as an organist and choir director at multiple churches, including Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA, First Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff, AR, Little Chapel on the Boardwalk at Wrightsville Beach, NC, Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington, NC, St. John's Episcopal Church in Wilmington, NC, Church in the Pines in Laurel Hill, NC, and led the handbell choir at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Laurinburg, NC. While working at Grace UMC, Bobbie discovered four octaves of White Chapel Handbells. She then taught herself how to play them and how to direct a handbell choir. She went on to develop this handbell choir into a group that performed around the greater Wilmington area and brought joy to listeners and challenge to many ringers throughout the years. During her time working at Grace UMC, Bobbie decided to finish her bachelor's degree which was a lifelong goal. She had studied for 20 years taking classes as time and money allowed. Her daughters were particularly proud of how she balanced cooking wonderful meals, working at Grace, and excelling at her studies at UNCW graduating Cum Laude. At UNCW, Bobbie received the William Adcock Music Scholarship and was a Schweitzer Award Recitalist. Music from her senior recital will be featured at her memorial service. As part of the NC Conference Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music & Worship Arts, Bobbie helped develop the North Carolina Conference United Methodist Handbell Festival held in Fayetteville, NC, for many years. Outside of her musical pursuits, Bobbie had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and feeding her family out of the backyard. She took great pride in growing beautiful flowers and green grass. Bobbie was also an accomplished seamstress and made matching clothes for her family, multiple prom dresses, and intricate Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren. Robert and Bobbie moved to Scotia Village retirement community in 2006 where Bobbie served as secretary for the Residents Association. She was an avid chair volleyball player, walking team member, puzzle team member, thespian, and friend of many. Her daughters were delighted that she became an avid swimmer in her 70s and joined the Scotia Senior Olympic team. After moving to Scotia, Bobbie took painting classes and developed her skills to the point where folks would commission paintings of favorite scenes and animals. She loved finding photos in magazines or doctor’s offices to turn into paintings of her own. During COVID, Bobbie did jigsaw puzzles daily to stimulate her mind and keep her from being so lonely in isolation. She appreciated how Felicia Davis and Helen Adams helped her print out photos of all her creations for her “How I Survived COVID-19” book! Bobbie's legacy of love, music, and devotion to her family and community will forever be cherished by those who knew her. She will be fondly remembered as a loving mother, a devoted grandmother, a talented musician, a creative person, and a good friend. May her soul rest in eternal peace. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and friends who surrounded Bobbie at Scotia Village. Jean and Lillian were like sisters to her, and she loved her lunch table crew of George, Doris, Jean, Lillian, Beth, and Phillip. She looked forward to the Friday social hour! The entire staff, particularly in the dining room, swimming pool, volleyball room, and Heather Glen assisted living hall, kept her active, surrounded by friends, mentally stimulated, and well-fed for the last seventeen years! Join us for a celebration of Bobbie McClure’s life Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Scotia Village located at 2200 Elm Ave. in Laurinburg, NC at 10:30 AM in the Morrison Education Center with Rev. Bruce Stanley, CEO of the Methodist Home for Children officiating. Interment will occur Sunday, October 1, 2023 at the McClure Family Plot located at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington, NC at 3:00 PM with Rev. Benton Oakes of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Donations can be made in Bobbie’s memory to Morrison Manor at Scotland Regional Hospice, PO Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28353, or the Brightspire Foundation for Scotia Village at 2109 Sandy Ridge Rd., Colfax, NC 27235

Barbara Jean Davis McClure

December 31, 1935 - September 23, 2023