Bobbie M Haynes

Bobbie was born February 20th, 1938, daughter to William Ray Mullis and Bettie Mae Kellis, in Norwood, North Carolina. She graduated with top honors from Benton Heights High School in 1957.

Bobbie met her husband Jim of 53 years while she was working at her family’s restaurant, and they were married by Guy Helms at Northdale Baptist Church, where they remained loyal members. Their love and commitment to each other was obvious to anyone around them. Bobbie and Jim shared many hobbies and prioritized making time for each other. Friends and family could find them bowling, camping, at the racetrack, or watching sports or a favorite western movie at home. Their family was the joy of Bobbie’s life, and she was a fierce advocate for her children and grandchildren, attending every wedding, graduation, game, and recital she was able to.

Early in their marriage Jim told Bobbie if they were going to work out she would need to go bowling with him, and she discovered a passion and talent for the sport. They joined multiple leagues and travelled together to compete in tournaments that they frequently won. She was known at the bowling alley for her fun-loving spirit and distinct handshakes for strikes, spares, and luck; Bobbie made rolling a strike look effortless and fun. She built a community around bowling, dedicating years to teaching kids in the NC Youth Bowling Association, where she earned an Emeritus Achievement for her work as the secretary. Bobbie is remembered fondly by many of the now grown-up Junior Bowlers that she and Jim worked with.

Bobbie was a woman of significant creative energy and talent. She often joked her only frustration was how there wasn’t enough time in the day to do everything she imagined. She was a phenomenal cook who made incomparable fried okra, and she ensured every holiday that everyone at the table had a whole dish of their favorite food prepared. A prolific crafter, Bobbie was known for her quilting, crocheting, cross stitch, and sewing. Most of the wardrobe for her three granddaughters consisted of countless intricate dresses of her own design, and the whole family was kept in personalized PJs and blankets each holiday season. Bobbie was constantly crocheting, if she didn’t have a dedicated project to work on she would whip up baby hats and blankets that she donated by the bagful to Levine Children’s Hospital every winter.

After retiring from her job as Administrative Assistant at Bank of America, she embraced her life-long love of nature and kept stunning flower and vegetable gardens around her home. She spent many seasonable days on the swing on her back porch with her grandkids singing along to the windchimes and watching the birds and butterflies. She loved animals, particularly toy poodles, and she cherished her pet dogs. Part of every summer was spent camping at the beach, hunting for shark teeth and reading by the sea.

Bobbie is survived by her husband Jim; her sister Susan; her children David, Maya, and Andy; her grandchildren James, Thera, Hannah, Charles, Laurel, Brandon, and Olivia; and her great-grandchildren Holden, Austin, and Nora. To know her was to love her and be loved by her; she will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Levine Children’s Hospital.