Obituary of Bobbie Jo Holtzclaw

“Dates don’t matter. It’s the dash in the middle that counts the most.” Mama’s life was filled with simple pleasures and treasures, hard work and great rewards, Jesus and church, laughter and fun and the happiest moments surround by family. Known as the shortest one in the family, her 4’ 11’ stature did nothing to overshadow her hard-working spirit, economy managing budget, caring hands, “speak your mind” attitude, and resourceful nature. The need to provide for the family and with daddy by her side, she turned Radio Swap/Shop, Sunday newspapers, and yard sale Saturdays into treasure hunts searching for old records, antique furniture, Depression glass and Occupied Japan figurines. Family car trips were spent spotting aluminum cans, glass Coke bottles, and telephone insulators on roadsides. Refinishing furniture, coupon clipping, filling the soup pot with leftovers, and gardening and canning an endless array of vegetables were a constant means of support for our family’s budget. Over 30 years with a near 30-year perfect attendance record as “tagger and bagger” with William Carter Company was her testimony to the value for hard work and dedication for the family. As much as her hard-working spirit produced great blessings, her pleasures and love of family produced great comfort and joy. Books, word search puzzles, Elvis and Gospel music, Sunday dinners, late night card games, garden hose and squash horn dances, fishing, Southern cooking, baking cakes, and games of all kinds with us girls, grandkids, and great grandkids filled the homes. All knew she was her happiest when she said, “Don’t get me tickled!”, and that unique burst of laughter would break out and never seem to end! Without a doubt, another of her greatest joys came from her gardening. Mama could make ANYTHING grow, even in Georgia’s reddest dirt. Known as Grandma Bobbie and Anma, she celebrated all grandkids accomplishments— high school and college graduations, jobs as police officer, fitness expert, production supervisor, hair/nails expert, and various restaurant employees with proud encouraging smiles a mile wide! Our family lives by many of mom’s words: “Hard work never hurt!” “Try your best and keep trying!” “You can do it!” and her recent words, “It’s going to be ok. We just got to pray and believe! Talk to you later. I love you, baby!” Bobbie Jo Holtzclaw is predeceased by James R. Holtzclaw (spouse), Junior Pippin (son-in-law), and William Johnathan Steward (grandson). She is survived by 3 children, Cathy Steward (Chuck), Debra Helms (Terry), and Lisa Pippin; grandchildren James Cape (Laura), Jessica Smith (Kyle Ozley), Walter, Bonnie, and Brian Steward, Clarice Pippin; great grandchildren Lyvi, Jensen, and Jasper. All services were private. Williams-Westbury Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.