James Doyce Bobbitt

Mr. James Doyce Bobbitt, age 89, of Southside, passed away on Friday, June 21, 2024. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 12:30pm at Collier-Butler Chapel. Rev. Lauil Thompson will officiate. Guest speaker will be Bobby Welch. Music to be provided by Kevin Patterson. The family will receive friends for visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Young’s Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery.

Doyce attended East Gadsden Church of the Nazarene for most of his life. He was a 1954 graduate of Hokes Bluff High School and a 2002 Automotive Tech graduate of Gadsden State Community College.

Mr. Bobbitt was a Federal Civil Service Employee. His service included working at Redstone Arsenal and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama where he received several U.S. Air Force Civilian Honors. He finished his career retiring from Fort McClellan. He was the founder of the Ball Play #1 Fire & Rescue Department and Cofounder of the Fords Valley Water Coop. Doyce served as the Treasurer for the local Etowah County Rescue Squad and served at the Chaplain for the State Rescue Squad. He served as a medic, a diver, worked with K-9, Search and Rescue. Doyce appreciated music and made sure that his children and grandchildren knew how to play several instruments. He enjoyed restoration of antique cars and tinkering in his shop. Doyce is preceded in death by his parents, James Edgar and Maudell Patterson Bobbitt; brother, J.L. Bobbitt; first wife, Virginia McGinnis Bobbitt; and son-in-law, Jerry Wayne Brooks.

Doyce is survived by his loving wife of 25 years Shirley Smith Bobbitt; son, Danny Bobbitt; daughter, Jana Brooks; grandchildren, Jennifer Bedwell and Daniel Bobbitt; great grandchildren, Colton Nelson, Jack Riley Brewer and Fisher Bedwell. Step-daughter, Cindy Smith Milam; step-son, Christopher (Jennifer) Smith; step grandchildren, Nikki Milam (Keith) Pilkington, Chase (Nozha) Milam, Madisyn Smith and Trevor Smith. Sisters, Helen (Clark) Livingston and Delona (Mike) Timbs; Brother, Jerry Bobbitt. Best friend, Tommy Shields.

Pallbearers will be Chase Milam, James Daniel Bobbitt, Colton Daniel Nelson, Christopher Smith, Gene Hood and Jeff Connell.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Etowah County Rescue Squad.

The family will accept flowers or donations may be made to the Ball Play #1 Fire Department or the Etowah County Rescue Squad.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nurses of Enhabit Hospice.

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.