Bobbie Jean Davis Blackwell, 93, of Winston-Salem, NC passed away Sunday, December 11, 2022.

Bobbie was born in Pensacola, FL on May 25, 1929, in a house sitting on Escambia Bay in an area known as "Gaberonne". She had fond memories of the years she spent there playing in the water and eating oysters right out of the shell. She and her family eventually moved to Bluff Springs, FL where she attended Century High School. After completing high school, she went to the Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Pensacola. She lived in the dormitory there for three years and loved every minute of her time there. She said the other students complained that the nuns (Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul) were too strict, but her momma was WAY stricter, so it was fine with her!

She graduated around 1950 and was very proud of becoming a registered nurse. She married a serviceman in 1953 and was able to travel and see other places; something she had always hoped to do. She lived in New York, Turkey, Colorado, and Wyoming, eventually returning to Pensacola in 1969. She worked at University Hospital for a time then spent the last 20 years of her nursing career at the Escambia County Nursing Home. She retired in 1991 at the age of 62.

After retirement she was active in her church, Richards Memorial Methodist. She taught Sunday school and assisted members who wanted to attend by providing transportation. She visited her daughter frequently and was always ready to help with her four grandchildren.

Bobbie developed dementia in her early 80s and moved in with her daughter, Melodie, who lives in Winston-Salem, NC. She continued to be a wonderful example of loving compassion and service to her family and friends. She adored her great granddaughters and said these "were the best days of her life". She was greatly loved and will be sorely missed.

Bobbie is preceded in death by her daughter, Paula Elizabeth Blackwell; her sisters, Elsie Chandler and Deletha Davis; and her brothers, Woody Davis and Billy Davis.

She is survived by her daughter, Melodie Blackwell Manna (John) of Winston-Salem, NC; grandchildren, Matthew Manna (Amanda), Nicole Manna Six (Matt), Sara Manna, and Daniel Manna; six great granddaughters, Samaya Crews, Penelope Manna, Sophia Manna, Elizabeth Six, Abigail Six, and Isabel Six; brother, Daniel Davis; sister, Pat Gorman as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Visitation will be held 10:00am until a Memorial Service to begin at 11:00am, Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Dan Davis officiating. Private interment at Bratt Godwin Cemetery, Bratt, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, Bobbie's favorite charity.

The family would like to give special thanks to Katie B. Reynolds Hospice House in Winston-Salem, NC.