Barbara Ann Middlebrook

1943 - 2025

Barbara Ann ("Bobbie") Middlebrook of Germantown, TN, wife of James H. Middlebrook, died peacefully on January 20th, 2025, after a brief struggle with pneumonia. The family is saddened and shocked by her death. Bobbie was born on January 9th, 1943, and had just turned 82. Bobbie was the only daughter of John and Thelma Lowchy of Hartford, CT. Bobbie was raised in Hartford, where she later gave birth to her two daughters, Leigh Jeffrey and Allison Hanauer. After moving to Chattanooga, TN, in 1981, she met her husband Jim Middlebrook and they embarked on an adventure of owning and growing a jewelry business which took them to Savannah, GA, Huntsville, AL and finally West TN, where they permanently retired. Bobbie had a very creative soul. She excelled at musical theater in her youth, eventually taking part in summer stock performances in New York City. Bobbie loved to paint and draw. She created pen and ink works of private homes and family pets; both as mementos and for charity fundraisers. She was a brilliant gardener, creating dazzlingly beautiful landscapes in each of her residences. She was also an avid supporter of the local symphonies everywhere she lived. Bobbie was generous with her time, volunteering for many community organizations, including the Junior League, Humane Society, Chattanooga Symphony Association, a Memphis women's crisis center, and the Welcome Wagon and New Neighbors clubs. She founded the Countrywood Garden Club and offered her Master Gardener skills to many organizations throughout the Memphis area. Bobbie was also an active member of the Germantown Athletic Club, where she could be found bustin' a move in various fitness classes. She also had a love for animals, volunteering her time at the Humane Society to help exercise and socialize dogs in hopes of improving their chances at adoption. Not surprisingly, Bobbie always had at least two, well-loved rescued dogs in her home. Bobbie is survived by her husband, Jim Middlebrook of Germantown, TN, daughter Leigh Jeffrey, of Memphis, TN, and daughter Allison Hanauer and son in law Will Pequignot, of Hernando, MS. She has two grandchildren that she doted on, Casey and Auden Hanauer, of Hernando, MS. In addition, she has several cousins in the CT area. Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Thelma Lowchy, grandmother, Mary Cormier, and many beloved aunts and uncles in New England. Memorial services will be held February 1, 2025 at 2 p.m., at Brent Taylor Funeral Directors, 534 Poplar Avenue, Collierville, TN 38017. Friends may call prior to the service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The family asks that any memorial donations be made to the National Humane Society.