Bobbie Haight was born on December 21, 1937, in Woodbury, New Jersey, the second daughter of Nell and William Kerr. She will be remembered for her sparkling blue eyes, her smile and spunk, her deep love of family, and thoughtful gestures and words that never ended until her last days. She remains in our hearts and is an inspiration to the family as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Bobbie, who could be considered a “homebody”, would come to live in 10 different states and 15+ houses, and yet and make a wonderful home each location. She attended Salem High School, and originally attended Ohio Wesleyan University where she joined Delta Gamma Sorority with her sister, Emily.
After a year, she transferred to Guilford College in Greensboro NC, where she met the man whom she would spend 65 years with, Gordon Haight. Gordon’s roommate, John Slopey, coincidentally was from Woodbury, NJ. We are thankful to John for introducing Bobbie and Gordon. Rumor has it that on their first date, Gordon told her he would marry her and despite her laughing it off and wrecking his car in a cemetery on a Guilford-illegal smoke break, he persisted, and she gave into his charm. They have never been apart since.
Bobbie and Gordon were married on December 27, 1957. Dad was drafted into the Army and stationed in Tacoma, Washington. After Guilford graduation, Bobbie moved west and began to teach elementary school. After 2 years in the Army, Gordon was hired at Hallmark and they moved back east to Allentown, PA. Their first child, Scott, was born in 1961, and Susan soon followed in 1963. After moving to White Plains, NY their third child Steven was born in 1967.
In 1970 the family moved to Overland Park, KS, as Gordon’s career progressed with Hallmark. Bobbie enjoyed bridge and golf, close Hallmark friends and their families, and the first family dog, Misty. After 7 years, the family moved to Augusta, GA briefly and then Dunwoody GA. Mom played ALTA tennis with neighbors and 9-hole golf at Dunwoody Country Club. Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling to resorts in Miami, Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Hawaii, Acapulco, Europe and the Caribbean.
Her son Steven was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 10 in 1978, and Bobbie was devoted to his treatment and care for 5 years. Sadly, Steven passed in 1983, and we take comfort in knowing that she is reunited with him now.
After Scott and Susi graduated college (Davidson and Clemson), Bobbie and Gordon moved to Wilkes-Barre, PA for a few years and then to Brentwood, TN. Mom played the handbells and enjoyed working in the Brentwood United Methodist Church office. They finally returned to Atlanta and spent many years enjoying their friends at Dunwoody Country Club and attending Dunwoody Methodist Church. Five years ago, Bobbie and Gordon moved to Charlotte to be closer to their daughter, Susi and her family.
Mom loved her family and family gatherings. Her favorite times were at holidays, especially Christmas. Mom played Christmas songs on the piano and the family gathered round to sing as best we could close to on-key. She absolutely loved her children and doted on her grandchildren. She loved the beach and spent several winters in Longboat Key with Dad, and many weeks at the home they shared with Susi and Donnie in Folly Beach, SC.
We will miss your smile, laughter and kisses, sweet Mama, Gram, Bobbie. Peace to you.
Bobbie is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gordon Eugene Haight of Plantation Estates in Matthews, NC, son Scott Kerr Haight of Dyersburg TN, daughter Susan Lea Haight Robinson (Donald) of Charlotte NC , grandchildren Elizabeth Valentine Haight Hawthorne (Shawn), Parker Kerr Barlow, and Julia Louise Haight of Charlotte, NC, Charles Andrew Steven Haight (Betsy), Vladimir Fox Haight, and Aleksander Scott Haight of Memphis, TN, Spencer Vasily Haight, Artem Kerr Haight, and Nicholas Earroll Haight of Dyersburg, TN. She is also survived by a great granddaughter Emmaline Leigh Haight of Memphis, TN, her sister Emily Kerr Ballentine (Richard) of Shawnee Mission, KS, and her Sisters-in-law Marlene Haight Pohl of Fairport NY and Phyllis Haight Buchanan of AZ.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her son, Steven Eugene Haight, daughter-in-law Virginia Valentine Fox Haight, and granddaughter, Svetlana Hunneyman Haight.
A private service to honor Bobbie’s life will be held at St. Stephen United Methodist Church on Friday, July 10, at 2 pm at 6800 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270. The service will be broadcast live online at www.ststephenumc.net. At a later date, she will be laid to rest next to her son Steven at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, GA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association.
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