Bobbie H. Quinn

Bobbie Owensby Quinn, 77, danced her way into Heaven on November 2, 2011. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends, as her loved ones gathered for a five-day going away celebration of her joyous and influential life.

Bobbie was born January 7, 1934 in Chesnee, South Carolina to Roy and Jean Horton. A lover of nature and the outdoors, Bobbie would spend the fall years of her childhood picking not only enough cotton to pay her entry into the fair each year, but enough for her "little brother" Don to get in as well. "That was Bobbie," Don said, reflecting back on the love of his sister, "She was always looking after others—always such a leader and a hard worker."

Bobbie carried her work ethic with her all her life until she retired at age 64 from Duckhead Division of Delta Woodside, where her skills and talents as a seamstress had earned her the position of Quality Control Manager. Just like the seamstress Dorcus from the Bible—someone with whom Bobbie identified closely—she could sew anything from jeans to wedding dresses, her talents always rivaling the quality of anything found in a department store.

The greatest tapestry she ever sewed, though, was that of a family. A mother of seven children and nineteen grandchildren, Bobbie was everything a Mother and Granny is supposed to be—pure joy. Even in such a large family of strong personalities, she always had a way of being the brightest light in the room with her unrestrained laughter and energetic joy with which God blessed her. Her greatest gift, though, was her love. "No one could ever, ever love you as much as I did," she recently said in a video addressing her children and grandchildren. Bobbie had a lot of love that needed to be given out—no doubt—but she was never in short supply. Bobbie was someone who, after meeting you once, would know enough about you to write you a personalized Christmas card. "She made you feel like you were her favorite," was a commonly said statement among family members and friends.

If you didn't know Bobbie and had tried to strike up a conversation with her by asking if she liked baseball or football, you would have likely been met with an enthusiastic, "Has a cat got a'climbing gear?!" In her early years Bobbie was an athletic participant in sports. And when her children were growing up, Bobbie would still be out participating, playing sports and athletic games with her and her neighbors' children. In her later years, she was an avid follower of the Panthers and the Braves, but her favorite sports teams were always the ones on which her children and grandchildren played. Sitting in her lounge chair, under her hat, rooting her children or grandchildren on, the players on the field always knew Bobbie was there. Aside from sports and sewing, Bobbie could often be found tending to her garden where she grew squash, tomatoes, and beautiful hibiscus and moonflowers.

If you had known Bobbie, even briefly, you would have known—without a doubt—that she loved her Lord, Jesus Christ. "When I tell people about my Mother-in-Law, I tell them she was the most Godly woman I have ever met," said her Son-in-Law, Dale. As one of the original members of Restoration Church, Bobbie could always be counted on to be "Dorcus" for her church, using her God-given talents as a seamstress to create banners, costumes, and anything else required of her gift. She was also the co-leader of a Bible study group where she resided. Meeting weekly, Bobbie helped bring Bible study to the community center for fellow residents who were unable to attend church. Bobbie was someone who was truly Christ-like in the way she lived her life and loved her family and friends. "She was always there for me no matter what I did," said Troy, her grandson.

In her parting letter to her children, Bobbie wrote, "My greatest desire is for each of you to know and have a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ… Today I know your hearts are heavy. Please do not make this a time of mourning. Think of where I am, and let it be a celebration of my life!" If a quote from her granddaughter is any indication of her wishes being fulfilled, Bobbie—with her arm around her Lord—is surely smiling down on her family now. "Granny passed away, but we are rejoicing for her as she dances with Jesus!" said her granddaughter, Brooke. For everyone that knew her, Bobbie is no doubt cutting a rug in heaven right now.

Bobbie Owensby Quinn is survived by her "little brother," Don Horton, as well as her children and their spouses: Terry Owensby and his wife, Nancy; Janice Fletcher and her husband, Dale; Kathy Jackson and her husband, Lonnie; Carolyn Marlowe and her husband, Kent; Brian Owensby and his wife, Cindy; Glenda Pryor and her husband, Monk; and Artie Quinn and his wife, Kelly.

Bobbie was also blessed as being "Granny" to nineteen grandchildren: Allison Jenkins and her husband, Jack; Jessica Daley and her husband, Greg; Mat LaVore; Brooke Bunger and her husband, Mike; Amber Boyd and her husband, Jerry; Joshua Jackson; Brandon Owensby; Brandi Pryor; Kristen Owensby; Brian Quinn; Troy Quinn; Caroline Pryor; Brenda Quinn; Emily Quinn; Steven Quinn; Bobby Quinn; and Terry Quinn. She also picked up six more grandchildren through marriage: Drew Fletcher, Danny Fletcher, Jeremy Durga, Dawn Fletcher, Adam Durga, and Justin Durga. She also was Great-Granny to Christopher Courtlin Jenkins, Jude Daley, and Charlotte Grace Boyd.

As well, she was "Aunt Bobbie" to a number of her "favorite" nieces and nephews.

Bobbie is pre-deceased by her parents, Roy and June Horton; her sister, Wilma Huntsinger; her sister, Audrey Goode; and her granddaughter, Brittany Owensby.

The funeral will be held at Restoration Church (6655 Pottery Road, Spartanburg) at 11 AM on Saturday, November 4. The family will receive friends from 10 AM - 11 AM.
The burial will follow at Good Shepherd Memorial Park in Boiling Springs, 4164 Highway 9.

Funeral services are being provided by Seawright Funeral Home. 26 East Main Street, Inman, South Carolina.