Bobbie Jean Derden

Bobbie Jean Derden was born at home on December 18, 1942, to Thomas Myrtle and Eithel May Davis and was the youngest of 12 children. From a simple upbringing, Bobbie learned values and skills that would help her become the strong, driven woman that she was.

At 16, she met and married the love of her life, Johnnie M. Derden. Together, they built a beautiful family and moved often while he served in the United States Air Force. Bobbie held several jobs including egg candling on a chicken farm, pattern making at a clothing factory, and delivering the mail for the US Postal Service, where she retired.

Family was the centerpiece of Bobbie's life. She was a loving mother to Sandra, Johnnie, and Linda, but her favorite role was grandmother to Lydia, Johnathan, Kayla, Erin, Matthew, and Hannah. She enjoyed taking the whole family to the beach for vacation each year and often joked that she was made for a life of leisure and not hard work. She loved flowers and gardening. She also loved to shop and often took family members on shopping sprees with Johnnie's money. She was full of laughter and songs and always serenaded the children with "You Are My Sunshine" and "Dance-a-ma-doodly".

While living in England, Bobbie came to know the Lord and her faith became the foundation of her heart of service. She could never turn away anyone who she felt needed her help, and she often took in people who needed support and guidance. She was generous with her time and effort in serving others. Throughout her adult life, she served in leadership in children's ministry, and then as she got older, she began to teach and disciple adults. She also served in nursing home and prison ministry. Ultimately, she became an ordained minister, and pastored Lighthouse of Praise.

Bobbie is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and son, Johnnie Nolan. She is survived by her husband, Johnnie, her daughters Sandra and husband Lester, Linda, and daughter-in-law, Kim as well as her grandchildren Lydia, Johnathan and wife Katie, Kayla, Erin and husband Taylor, Matthew and fiancée Bree, and Hannah, and great-grandchildren Poppy and Audrey. Her family members would like to send specific thanks to the staff of Legacy at Corsicana and Arc Hospice for the excellent care and compassion they showed to Bobbie in her later years. We wish also to remember the legacy of love, faith, laughter, and integrity that Bobbie leaves behind.