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Obituary
Bobbie Lee Dearry
October 30, 1935 – August 30, 2024
Bobbie was born on October 30, 1935, in Olinger, Virginia, to Tillman and Janie (Young) Dearry. He was the firstborn of the five Dearry boys. Followed by Bruce, Dillerage, Garnet Wayne, and Ralph Curtis. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Bruce and Dillerage. His family and his precious wife Hazel were waiting for him this morning. We know they are rejoicing in his homecoming as we are, and we take comfort in knowing his body is at rest and his soul at peace.
Bobbie’s family moved to Detriot, Michigan, as a child during the automobile boom in June of 1949. He served as a radio operator in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1956. After returning to the States, Bobbie met and married Hazel Willodene Lowery on June 27, 1959, at the age of twenty-four.
Bobbie was blessed with three children and one granddaughter. Son Michael Dean, his wife Carmen, daughter Leigh Ann, her husband Tony Baziotes, son Jason Leon, and granddaughter Abigail Louise. There was also a long list of “fur-grandbabies, " all loved and cherished. Edwina, Spanky, Charlie Brown, Daisey, Darla, Lily, Laney, Zoey and Rocco. Bobbie Lee Dearry was a good, honest, and loving man. The center of his life was Jesus Christ and his family. He worked hard all his life to provide for his family. Bobbie was a Mason from March 5, 1968, until his death. He was elected and installed Worshipful Master of Phoenix 13 Lodge in Ypsilanti, MI. Dad was also a Deacon at Antioch Baptist Church and was active in all his church homes.
After 31 years working at Ford Motor Company as a Quality control Engineer, he retired in 1994. Subsequently, they moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he and Mom enjoyed the first stage of their retirement—making new friends, enjoying family, their new church home, and, for Dad, of course, fishing. His favorite spot was the Clinch River, beneath the TVA Norris Dam. Many good fishing days and memories were made standing waist-deep in those cold waters. When he and Mom got the news that God was sending them a granddaughter, they quickly moved back to Michigan in March 2007 to fulfill his next role, Papa. Abigail Louise was born in April 2007. This began his third and final love relationship. Hazel ~ Leighann ~ Abigail. Other than working to be the best Papa he could be to Abigail, he continued to love fishing, was a proud Handi-man (except for plumbing), and was an avid numismatist (coin collector). Bobbie always knew where he was going in this life and always made his journey about loving God and his family.
Bobbie Lee Dearry's last few days were filled with laughter and loving conversations. His three adult children, Michael, Leighann, and Jason, cared for his needs and were by his side. Leighann was alone, talking to him, holding his hand, when he peacefully drew his last earthly breath. Bobbie is thrilled to be reunited with his loving wife Hazel this day and forever in the presence of their Lord.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to one of his favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in the name of Bobbie Lee Dearry.
