Service held for Bobbye Darbison
Bobbye J. Darbison went to be with her Lord, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at the age of 90.
She is survived by her husband, Larry, of the home; two sons Reggy of Ada and Kevin and wife, Cambria, of Shady Shores (Dallas), Texas. Grandchild, Kris Darbison of Ada has three of her great- grandchildren, Alyssa, Jordan and Blakely Darbison. Her granddaughter, Kasi Hopstein and husband, Brandon of Ada, are parents of three of her great- grandchildren, Khalil, Dominik and Clarke Hopstein. She is also survived by two sisters, Bonnie Flowers of Ada and Sherry Wilhite of Albany, Oregon.
She was preceded in death by her daughterin- law, Sherry Darbison; a sister-in-law, Norma Barnes; her parents, William Luther and Nannie Kathryn Knight; along with her sisters Pearl Mason, Rosie Westmoreland, and Marie Tipsword; and brothers William C. (Dub) and Douglas Knight.
Bobbye was born at Stonewall, Oklahoma on October 12, 1933. She attended school at Tupelo and Clarita Public Schools. She graduated from Clarita High School in l952 as salutatorian of her class. She was a member of the basketball and softball teams at Clarita High School and many organizations of the school. She attended East Central University and graduated from the Valley View Hospital School of Nursing in l963. She became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) upon passing her Oklahoma State Board exams. She was licensed as an LPN in the State of Texas in 1993.
Her first work experience in health professions was at Valley View Hospital beginning in l952. She became a member of the staff of the highly acclaimed Sugg Clinic in l952 and remained in that capacity until l956. Her time at Sugg Clinic; with its outstanding doctors, was one of the most exciting of her 60 year medical career.
Bobbye married Larry Darbison, August 18, 1956 in Ada. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on August 18, 2023. They moved to Maysville where Larry was a teacher and she continued to move with him as he pursued his career as a teacher and school administrator. During that time, they were located at Allen, Oklahoma. Las Vegas, New Mexico, East Central University/Ada, Ardmore and Booker, Texas. At each of these locations, she became involved as a health care professional, serving in hospitals, clinics, and home health. One of the most rewarding jobs that she held was school nurse from l988 to l993 in Ardmore Public Schools.
On December 9, 2004, Bobbye was honored by her home health employer, HealthCare Innovations of Ada, Oklahoma for 50 years of nursing. At the reception, the Mayor of Ada, Darrell Nemecek presented Bobbye with a citation proclaiming December 9, 2004 as “Bobby Darbison Day in Ada” and Bob Plunk, State Representative presented a citation from Governor Brad Henry and the State of Oklahoma House of Representatives declaring December 9, 2004 as “Bobbye Darbison Day in Oklahoma”. Bobbye continued to work for HealthCare Innovations and Encompass Home Health until she had completed 60 years of nursing; finally retiring in 2014.
Bobbye was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She had been a member of this sorority since its organization in Allen, Oklahoma in the 1970s. She had continued this membership for almost 50 years. She had been recognized as “Woman of the Year” a number of times during her long tenure. Beta Sigma Phi service projects include activities such as scholarship programs, services to schools and the community as well as providing support and social activities for its members. She and her very good friend, Jean Kelly, were partners in most all of these efforts to “do good”.
Bobbye was an active member of the Church of Christ from l957 until her death. She taught classes for the very young, provided blood pressure clinics, served as church camp nurse during summers, provided food at funerals and did whatever she could to serve the Lord. She and Larry were long time members of the Southwest Church of Christ in Ada.
Her services were held at Southwest Church of Christ at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 17th. Brian Lewis and Danny Stewart will officiate. Interment was at Rosedale Cemetery in Ada Pall bearers were Trevor Manuel, Gary Hamilton, Tim Hensley, James Myers, Brent Lowe, and Greg Hatton. Honorary pall bearers were Bill Hart, Pete Maloy, Vernon Morgan, Jerry Miller and Tommy Myers.