Bobbie Mimms Singer

Well, I'm outta here. If you're reading this, I am singing in the choir where no one tells me to go sit by someone else or says, "your mama sure wasted her money on singing lessons for you." So I am happy, and I'm singing my song.

I was born a long, long time ago - September 22, 1930, in the little sawmill town of Quitman, Mississippi, to Oneita Bell Mimms and Billy M. Mimms. Big brother Bill, Jim, and sister Beryl welcomed me to the family. Baby sister Judy came along eleven years later. Shortly after I was born, the family moved to Pensacola, Florida, where we lived for several years, broken by three years in Washington, D.C. In 1939 we moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where all of us children attended various schools; Beryl, Jim, and I graduating from Leon High School-I, was part of the class of 1948. Florida State University was my choice of college where I majored in Clothing and Textiles, Design with a minor in Psychology, all the time working part-time for Miss Iris Storrs in her lovely bookshop, The Book Corner. Best laid plans often fall by the wayside; however, I left school to marry Jed Alexander on January 5, 1952. Our first son, Michael Avery Alexander, arrived on November 28, 1952. In July of 1953, we moved to Aiken, S.C., where we would live for the rest of our married life and then some. Sons David James, February 26, 1956, and Patrick Charles, November 20, 1957, were born in the old Aiken Hospital on Hayne Avenue.

The marriage ended on November 25, 1977 - I went to Hawaii to celebrate. Working for Owens Corning Fiberglass for thirteen years gave me the chance to make some lasting friendships and learn the duplicity of others. Aah, well, there were some good times for sure. And I had the opportunity to finish my college degree at the University of South Carolina, Aiken.

A spur-of-the-moment invitation to a party in Charleston, S.C. March 22, 1980, introduced me to the love of my life and future husband, Larry Singer. It was one of those storybook moments when you know for certain you will be best friends forever. Following three years of separation due to his Navy duties, we married on November 26, 1983. I adore and am so proud of my sons and their families. Mike-Becky, Sarah, her daughter Amiyah, Michael and Kirsten and their son Wyatt, David, his first wife and my daughter Cathy Cofer, Pat and his wife, Judy. I couldn't have lived without them. But it is Larry who opened the world to me. With him, I've traveled to Italy, London, Paris. We've visited The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, and other countries along the Rhine, Rhone, and The Danube on seven European River Cruises. We have taken a cruize to Nova Scotia, driven to New York City, Boston, New Orleans, The Grand Canyon, and all around Arizona. We have taken two train trips to Seattle, Washington, and the connecting boats to Bremerton, Victoria, and British Columbia. We've made numerous trips to North Carolina, Tennesse, Key West, and Tallahassee. Just like Johnny Cash, we've been everywhere!

In 2003 we built a cottage in the small train town of Baldwin, Florida. Larry retired from the Navy in 2005, and we settled down to country life. Through all the years since I was pledged in 1959, I have enjoyed the privileges of the membership in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, moving my membership to all the cities where the Navy had transferred us - From Aiken, SC, Key West, FL, Charleston, SC, Mayport, FL, Chesapeake, VA, Ocean Springs, MS and back to Jacksonville, Florida. The Sisters everywhere were welcoming and friendly, and that was wonderful as sometimes adjustments to new states and cities can be difficult. I have carried wonderful memories and good friendships with each of these moves to nourish the start of life in a new community. There have been low times in my life that these dear sisters in Beta Sigma Phi have lifted me and kept me going. They made me the stronger woman I became when I married Larry. It's been wonderful to be a part of the lives of my sister Beryl and her family in Baldwin and Jacksonville. We've celebrated many birthdays, births, anniversaries, and other holidays and special occasions together, and it's been grand. But my heart will always be in Aiken, SC, with my children and old friends and where I lived for 38 years.

And, so, I say goodbye to you all, and thanks for the wonderful ride! And make sure you write your own obituary! It could be the last personal thing you do for your family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. Thanks. Bobbies service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 4, 2021, at The First Baptist Church Family Life Center, Baldwin, Florida.

H.M. “Hank” Forbes Jr. of Giddens-Reed Funeral Home in Baldwin, FL, is honored to be handling the arrangements for the Singer family. Please leave your condolences for the Singer family in the online guestbook at www.giddensreedfh.com.

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