Bobbye Davies

1936 - 2025

Bobbye Davies

March 12, 1936 - March 30, 2025

Bobbye Lewis Carson Davies passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, creativity, and service. A devoted mother and grandmother, beloved teacher, gifted musician, and passionate flower arranger, Bobbye lived a life defined by beauty, in the lives she touched, the music she sang, and the flowers she so lovingly arranged.

Born in Madisonville, TN, on March 12, 1936, Bobbye was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Cooke Carson. Her father, a respected dentist, also served as Monroe County judge and mayor of their hometown, instilling in Bobbye a strong sense of community service and compassion for others.

Bobbye graduated from Madisonville High School in 1954 and went on to earn a degree in voice and music from Maryville College in 1958. Her time at Maryville was filled with musical performances, and one serendipitous hallway collision that introduced her to the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Davies. They married on May 24, 1959, at the First Presbyterian Church in Madisonville.

Bobbye and Bob's shared passion for music led them on countless adventures, from singing with the Bel Canto and Montpelier Singers to performing for decades with the Oratorio Society of Virginia and the Madison Choral Society. No matter where life took them, their voices always found a place in harmony. In their later years, they lived in Luxembourg and traveled widely throughout Europe. One of Bobbye's most treasured memories was singing with a choir that performed at The Hague.

Together, they raised three children, Susan, Anne, and Ted, and assisted countless young men who passed through Woodberry Forest School, where Bob served as a faculty member and Bobbye became a surrogate mother to many. Her warmth and sense of humor made their home a sanctuary for students far from their own families.

Bobbye was a longtime, dedicated educator who taught generations of children in the four-year-old program at Grymes Memorial School and served as a reading specialist after earning her M.Ed. from the University of Virginia in the early 1980s. She taught Developmental Reading at Woodberry Forest's summer school for many summers, tutored students of all ages, and became known for her unwavering belief in every child's potential, especially those who struggled. Her impact in the classroom was profound and lasting.

In addition to her passion for education, Bobbye's creativity blossomed in the garden. A devoted member of the Dolley Madison Garden Club, she co-chaired Historic Garden Week and inspired aspiring floral designers through her engaging workshops. Her contributions were recognized with the prestigious Octavia Cameron Bowl for outstanding service and the Jean Ince Flower Arranging Award. Following her retirement, she continued to share her talents as a docent and flower arranger at Montpelier, bringing color and grace to countless events. Garden club members fondly recall the hundreds of vases and containers she kept stored in her basement.

She was also a shining presence in the local arts scene, starring as Mother Superior in The Sound of Music with the Four County Players and singing the role of Abigail Adams in a Woodberry production. Her love of the stage, like her love of life, was full of joy and energy.

A proud dachshund mom, a sharp wit, and a "tough old bird" in the best sense, Bobbye once famously survived being hit by a car, flipping over the roof and still having the presence of mind to calmly request someone call 911 with her own cell phone. By the time her daughter, Susan, arrived at the emergency room, she was already busy chatting away with her bed neighbor. She faced every chapter of life with grace, humor, and strength.

She was a devoted member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange, VA, where she served in the choir and on the Altar Guild for many years.

Bobbye was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Robert George Davies; her sister, Leah Joyce Thomas; and her brother, James Cooke Carson. She is survived by her children, Susan Thomas, Anne Robertson (John), and Edward Davies; and her grandchildren, Jack (Brooke) and Will Thomas, Patrick and Thomas Robertson, and Keen and Burch Davies.

A joint memorial service for Bob and Bobbye Davies will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange, VA, on Thursday, April 24th, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow at the The Grelen Depot, 118 E. Main Street in Orange. In true Bobbye fashion, this will not be a somber occasion but a celebration of life. Please wear bright spring colors to honor her love of flowers and her colorful spirit.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bobbye's memory to Grymes Memorial School.