Nannie Tobias

Nannie Tobias was born November 8, 1914 in Liberty, Mississippi to Floyd and Sallie (Woodard) Tobias. She was blessed to celebrate her 100th birthday this past November with more than 140 friends and family in attendance prior to passing away at home on December 30, 2014. During her youth, Nannie lived out in the “woods” of Mississippi and when asked, would recall day to day living consisting of drawing water from the well, chopping wood to cook on the wood stove and riding a horse for transportation. As a young woman, she lived in McComb, Mississippi and attended Society Hill Missionary Baptist Church until 1963 at which time she moved to Arizona to live with her daughter. When asked about her occupation, she would say, she chopped cotton and in later years she provided firm and loving caregiving to many children. Nannie never talked much about herself, but was always ready and willing to pitch in and help wherever needed.

Nannie, also called “Nan” and “Granny” by both family and friends, was known for her abundant talents. When Nan needed something, she found a way to do it. She was a gardener, cook, seamstress, and carpenter. Many people would head to dessert first at potlucks to ensure a piece of her famed apple pie. She could duplicate most any clothing or stuffed toy just by looking at it and create another one without a pattern. She loved gardening and spent countless hours tending her greens, squash, corn, tomatoes, grapes, berries and fig tree. When Nan needed a fence around her garden, she built one including the pickets; she also built her own storage shed and benches. Her most famed piece of architecture was her dog and cat pet duplex built out of leftover construction materials featuring real shingles, a mock chimney, working shutters, a screen porch and real outhouse with ramp for the kittens; it won her a ribbon at the Arizona State Fair. Nan also enjoyed canning, crocheting, making ceramics and taking painting classes.

Nan was full of energy and liked to keep busy. She insisted on pruning her fig tree herself, climbing up onto a ladder with saw in hand through her late-eighties. When she was no longer able to continue her many physical activities, she kept up to date with current events and people. Nan was baptized at the Alma School Road church of Christ in Chandler, AZ and attended there for 46 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Fannie Tobias McCray; brothers, Charlie, Ellis, and Sidney Tobias, Sr.; nephews, Dr. Leroy Lucas and Clifton Tobias, Sr. and niece, Geraldine Tobias. Nan is survived by her only child, daughter, Alma Bates (James) Pace; three grandchildren, Karla Pace, Chris (Heidi) Pace, Clark (Tracy) Pace; three great-grandchildren, Chelsey, Ethan and Landon Pace; nephew, Dr. Sidney (Josephine) Tobias, Jr.; niece, Sandra Tobias (James) Patterson; great-nieces, Roi Diane Lucas Hall, Stacy (Todd) Chinn, Tonya (Montel, Jr.) Brooks, and Kecia (Clifton) Royal; great-nephews, Julian and Jeffrey Lucas, Clifton Tobias, Jr., DeMarcus Tobias, Parrish Tobias, Damon (Maria) Tobias, John Tobias, Jessie (Gail) Tobias, Donald Tobias, Leonard (Cathy) Tobias, Garfield Tobias, and Cedric (Evelyn) Tobias and several great-great nieces and nephews. Nan, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and cherished friend will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Her services will be held Friday, January 9, 2014 at 11:00 am at the Alma School Road Church of Christ, 445 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, Arizona. Viewing will take place at 10:30am prior to the service.