Obituary of Bobbie Dean McKenzie

Mrs. Bobbie McKenzie passed away on April 25, 2020, at Atrium Hospital of Pineville, North Carolina at the age of 87. Bobbie was predeceased by her loving husband, Charles McKenzie, her parents, Robert & Carrie Bledsoe; brothers, Robert Bledsoe Jr., Thomas Bledsoe, & Jack Bledsoe, and sisters, Sue Bledsoe Goodman, and Ina Bledsoe Clark, and her beloved four-legged companion, Muffy McKenzie.

Bobbie is survived by her beloved daughter, Carrie Muse; beloved twin granddaughters, Mary Leigh Goodman and husband Seth Goodman, McKenzie Muse ("Missy" as Bobbie liked to call her) and husband Joseph McKinney; her sister, Martha Bledsoe Handy; brothers, Billy Bledsoe, Jimmy Bledsoe, and John Bledsoe; numerous nieces and nephews; and many beloved friends. Bobbie is also survived by her faithful four-legged companions Tuffy, Bailey, and Penny.

Bobbie attended the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton, NC from K-12. Bobbie graduated in 1953 with a trade in data entry and began a long 33-year career at the Mecklenburg County Tax Office. During her NCSD school days, she was very active in basketball, cheerleading, student council, and held numerous leadership positions in a variety of club activities. She was voted Homecoming Queen, Most Popular, and Best Dressed. Bobbie enjoyed traveling in earlier years with Charles attending NCSD homecoming games. Bobbie was passionate about advocating for the Deaf community and was President for many years of the NCSD school board and worked directly with state politicians and was always active within the Deaf community. She was admired by all for her strong, kind, generous, and sassy personality. Bobbie loved fashion and was the epitome of beauty (inside and out) and class. Bobbie loved her husband, Charles McKenzie, and they were married for almost 50 years before he passed. They met in grade school at NCSD and were truly life long partners. After retiring from the Mecklenburg County Tax Office, Bobbie along with her husband, Charles, lovingly took the role of caring for her granddaughters while their parents were at work. Bobbie doted on and loved her granddaughters each day from the day of their birth until the day she died. Bobbie also loved making pound cakes (Southern Living 1990 cookbook: Million Dollar Pound cake). She made this cake often and most recently for McKenzie’s wedding rehearsal dinner. She taught us at a very early age the true meaning of love and fierce loyalty for our family. She loved us unconditionally with a fierce heart. Bobbie and Charles always put their daughter and granddaughters first and would've lived for them forever if they could've. 

We were blessed to all live together for the majority of our lives. Bobbie loved dropping the girls off and picking them at school every day. Bobbie was always there to support them daily. She and Charles would take their daughter, Carrie, on weekend trips to the mountains often and continued this tradition with Mary and McKenzie. Bobbie and Charles were extremely proud of their daughter and granddaughters. They dedicated their lives to ensuring we had many opportunities and always stressed the value of a hard work ethic and education. Carrie graduated from UNCC with a Bachelor's Degree and went on to have a 36-year career at Mecklenburg County DSS before retiring. Mary and McKenzie both graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from Appalachian State. Mary works as a pediatric nurse and is currently enrolled in a Doctoral Program at MUSC in Charleston to become a Nurse Practitioner. McKenzie works for a healthcare non-profit in Charlotte and is currently enrolled in a Doctoral Program at Wingate to become an Occupational Therapist.

We would like to thank all who have prayed and loved us all through this most difficult time in our lives. The virtual hugs, meals, visits, texts, calls and cards have been such a blessing. Bobbie truly made an impact on everyone she knew.

We would also like to thank the nurses at Atrium Hospital of Pineville, NC. They allowed one visit on Saturday as well as FaceTime visits. In addition to this we would like to thank her doctors and staff at Tryon Medical Partners (Dr. Nancy Sokany & Dr. Eltaraboulsi), Sanger Clinic (Dr. Michael Rinaldi), and Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat (Dr. Punjabi & his team). They provided wonderful and empathic care for her for many years.

Due to the current state of social distancing restrictions, a small service for immediate family was held at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home on April 29, 2020. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later time based on our current state restrictions for social gatherings. We will provide updates for this celebration later.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Bobbie by giving to the Watauga Humane Society, Deafolina, and/or the North Carolina School for the Deaf.

We would like to express our gratitude to Joel Blady, Peggy McManus, and Emma Hale of Hankins & Whittington for their kindness during this difficult time.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.