Bobbie Nell Tootle Allen was born on August 9, 1937. She went to be with her Lord on Sunday, October 3, 2021. She was 84 years old. Bobbie Nell was preceded in death by her parents, James and Janie Tootle; her loving Aunt Sally Tootle who raised her after her parents were gone; her husband, Billy Allen; two sisters, Myra Tootle Brantley and Clara Tootle Guin; and her later in life fiancé, Donnie Crawford.
Bobbie Nell grew up in Glenwood and graduated from Glenwood High School in 1955. It was in high school that she showed her strong athletic abilities while playing basketball. She was an avid player, and at one time she was asked to consider trying out for the Redheads, an all-female basketball team. A valued player to her teammates, her claim to fame was the time she scored sixty-two points in one game for her team.
Bobbie spent many years of her life working for Oxford Industries where she was a training supervisor. When she wasn’t working, she could usually be found in her kitchen cooking a delicious meal or baking one of her sought after cakes. Her pound cakes were especially a favorite to many. Though she did bake some to sell, it was a regular thing for her to gift one of her cakes to a family member for a special occasion, a friend to bring some cheer, or a new neighbor who may have just moved into the neighborhood. If you were ever the recipient of one of her cakes, you knew you were loved.
Bobbie has left behind many happy memories of special times that will continue to be talked about and bring a smile (or laugh) to those who love her. For several years, she would “host” a New Year’s Eve party for her granddaughter Nicki and niece Tracey. These parties were epic as she prepared hors d’oeuvres, a sparkling cider, and often dressed up alongside her two guests with makeup and fancy dresses. She and Myra also enjoyed taking Nicki and Tracey for an annual trip to Six Flags. These trips were never uneventful – as proved by the time they were all on the Thunder River ride. Though all the young riders longed to be the one stuck under the waterfall to get drenched, it was Bobbie and Myra who got that treat. Thank goodness for plastic rain hats!
It was Bobbie’s nature to be a caretaker. She was always helping out family members in some way – whether by taking a relative to a doctor appointment, keeping a child for the young mothers in the family, or staying with family in their home while they were ill. She did all this and more, never complaining and never expecting anything in return.
Bobbie Allen was a charter member of Grace United Methodist Church. She dearly loved her church family and served others there for many years. Whether it was helping with costumes for the Christmas Live Nativity, helping prepare for church bazaars, or keeping the nursery when needed, she was a familiar face in the congregation. Never did she attend a church meal without bringing one, or maybe even two, of her delicious homemade cakes.
Her family includes her daughters, Sheila Allen Sammons and husband Kevin of Sharpsburg and Robyn Allen Banks and husband Tony of Vidalia; her grandchildren whom she adored, Nicki Galanti and husband Jeremy, and Regan Sammons, all of Sharpsburg, Georgia, and Tracy Banks of Vidalia; her great-niece, Summer Wingate of Vidalia, for whom she took on the role of grandmother; and one sister, Inez Waters of Barnesville, Georgia.
The funeral service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church of Vidalia on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Bill Baker and Pastor Sue Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
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