Bobbie Willis Lightle, 78, of Tifton passed away Sunday, December 3, 2017, at home, after a tenacious, long battle; her body succumbed to multiple myeloma. Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2017, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Landon Alberson officiating. Mrs. Lightle will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 5, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Neil McCarter, Charles McCarter, Adam McCarter, Robert Setters, Harold Willis and Floyd Hunt Sanders will serve as pallbearers.
Bobbie was born February 11, 1939 to her parents, G.H. (Doc) and Essie Pritchard Willis, both deceased. She grew up in rural Tift County and graduated from T.C.H.S in 1957. Her siblings are her dearest friend and sister, Billie Setters, married to John R. Setters and her late brother, Barney H. Willis, all of Tifton. She was of the Methodist faith.
She married Charles H. Lightle from Checotah, Oklahoma on May 13th 1962 . They traveled the world as he served in the USAF, until retiring to move back to Tifton. Unfortunately, their time together was cut short when Charlie suddenly died of a heart attack in 1985.
Together they had three children; Tana McCarter and her husband, Neil McCarter living with their children, Charles, Seth and Adam in rural Altoona, Kansas and Salena McCarter Irvin of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Darrell Lightle of Tifton; LeeAnn Bennett Conley and her husband Lamar, also of Tifton and her children are Katie and Ross Bennett. She is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.
Although Bobbie lived a quiet life, it was rich and full. She was fiercely independent and was known for her passion for travel, flowers and her love of books.
During her working life, she started as a telephone operator for Southern Bell right after graduation. She is remembered as a clerk at the infamous Roses Department Store before its closing. She then chose to finish her education and earned degrees in Education and Horticulture from VSC and ABAC. Her final working years were happily spent as a clerk at the US Post Office in Tifton.
After her retirement in 2013, she was able to indulge in traveling more often. Her many trips took her to the far corners of the earth. Some of her favorite places were Europe, Canada and Australia. She only missed Rhode Island and Hawaii in her travels in the US.
When not traveling she could be found in her green house or at her farm, affectionately known as "The Ponderosa". She was particularly fond of her small herd of pet goats. Her favorite spot was a simple swing in the back yard, overlooking her secret garden.