Bobbie M. Coble

April 5, 1930 - April 14, 2016

Bobbie Jane Melvin Coble, surrounded by her loving family, left this life to be with our Lord April 14, 2016. She was 86. Bobbie was the daughter of Stella Blanche Hilburn Melvin and James Alexander Melvin. She was the middle daughter born to a family of nine children; seven girls and two boys. Bobbie completed her first 12 years of school at Bladen County’s White Oak School where she played basketball. She completed her associate degree in accounting from Gardner–Webb in 1948. On December 24, 1948, Bobbie married Robert McLean Coble. During their 60 years of marriage she helped in the building of two homes and several businesses in Wilson, North Carolina. In the 1960s, Bob and Bobbie built a vacation lake home at White Lake, where they spent weekends during the summer months. Bob and Bobbie were members of Covenant Presbyterian Church of Wilson where Bobbie taught Sunday School, sang, led choir, and played piano. She was involved with the PTA, Cub Scouts and the Presbyterian Women of North Carolina, rising to state president of the North Carolina Presbyterian Women. In addition to her volunteer work, Bobbie was the fulltime bookkeeper for Bob’s businesses and during tobacco season served as bookkeeper for Wainwrights Warehouse of Wilson. In 1999 Bob and Bobbie returned to Ammon where they built their retirement home across the highway from her brother, Harry Melvin. Not one to be idle, Bobbie took an active role in the Ammon Community participating in the annual Bladen County Blueberry Festival where she compiled the Bladen County Blueberry Cookbook. Bobbie was always known for her green thumb which resulted in her lovely garden. She easily completed the requirements for certification as a North Carolina Master Gardener. Her great joy was sharing her canned vegetables, home-made pickles, preserves and jellies. Bobbie was well-known for her cooking, particularly her bread and desserts, which she shared with the local Hope Station, meals to the homeless. As Bob’s health declined, Bobbie cared for him until his death in Ammon September 8, 2009. Bobbie is survived by her children: April Shannon Coble Knowles, (Joseph) of Wilson, Sandra Blanche Coble Turbyfill, (Edward) of Elk Park; and Robert McLean Coble, II (Elna) of Jacksonville, FL. Bobbie is survived by eight grandchildren: Cheyne Hawkins Turbyfill, (Kristi Kay Ferguson), Jason Lee Turbyfill, Robert McLean Coble, III (Devonie Ruth Johnston), Lt. Russell A. Coble (Madeline L. Farris), Joseph Michael Knowles, Gregory Matthew Knowles, Thomas Jeremiah Knowles and Aaron Daniel Knowles. Bobbie lived to enjoy ten great-grandchildren: Marley Haiden Turbyfill, Eryn Leigh Turbyfill, Miles Abram Turbyfill, Deegan Jayce Turbyfill, Matilda Barrett Coble, Henry Russell Coble, Tabitha Ruth Coble, Amelia Madeline Coble, Alexandria Ruth Coble and Ezekiel Russell Coble. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 30, 2016, 10:30 a.m. at the Wilson Praise and Worship. Interment to follow, 3:00 p.m., at the Melvin Family Cemetery in Ammon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of Wilson Medical Center or the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI