~ Obituary ~

To be absent from the body is to be in the glorious presence of the Lord. On Tuesday, February 14, 2012, Willie Lee Bobbitt, Sr. was called home from labor to reward. He was born in Nash County, NC on March 3, 1918 to the late Erastus and Minnie Wiggins Bobbitt. He was oldest of thirteen children. He was preceded in death by ten siblings: Erastus Bobbitt, James Bobbitt, Althea Powell, Corrine Bobbitt, Elena Bryant-Williams, Wayvous Bobbitt, William Otis Bobbitt, Geraldine Watson, Boyce Bobbitt, and Yvonne Fenner.

Willie was educated in the Nash County School System. At an early age, he joined Hilliard Grove Baptist Church. He was also a former member of St. John Baptist Church of Portsmouth, VA, Cedar Creek Baptist Church of Scotland Neck, NC and the Bricks Community Church at Franklinton Center of Bricks, NC where he served as the Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He later joined Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in 1979 where he served faithfully and diligently as a Deacon until his move to Raleigh, NC in 2007. Although, he maintained his membership at Jerusalem, he attended Redeeming Love Baptist Church until his death. Willie was also a member of the Pilgrim #36 Lodge, AMFM of Enfield, NC.

Willie's career included employment with Portsmouth Navy Yard, Peck Iron Metal of Portsmouth, VA, Willow Grove Elementary School, Whitakers, NC, Franklinton Center at Bricks, NC, Dixie Rest Home, Enfield, NC and South Village Nursing Center in Rocky Mount, NC.

Willie was a devoted husband, brother, father, and grandfather. He was a man of few words but when he spoke; his words were full of power and wisdom.

Willie was united in marriage to his bride of 71 years, Clyde Esther (Miles) Bobbitt and to this union God blessed them with seven children: Rachel Bobbitt Sutton (Gilbert), Willie Lee Bobbitt, Jr. (Robin), Ernestine Bobbitt Draughn (Raymond), Clyde Esther Bobbitt Lee (Allen), Barbara Bobbitt Ellis (Daniel), Glenn Bobbitt and Marion Bobbitt; 27 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren; Willie was also instrumental in rearing five of his grandchildren: Gwendolyn Bobbitt Dickerson, Willie Lee Bobbitt, III, Gregory'Bobbitt, Jacqueline Bobbitt, and Tony Erastus Bobbitt.

He also leaves to cherish his memory: two sisters, Joyce Bobbitt Person (Harold) and Dorothy Bobbitt; four sisters-in-law: Addie Bobbitt, Lizzie Bobbitt, Virginia Bobbitt and Josephine Miles Tyson; one brother- in-law, Rufus Watson and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Condolences are welcomed by the family.