Rexie Dobbs

Rexie (Spradlin) Dobbs was born March 15, 1916, in Randolph County, Arkansas, to Edward and Mandy (Vaughn) Dobbs, and went home to be with the Lord January 2, 2017. She was just 2 months away from her 101st birthday. Nana passed peacefully in her sleep at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by loved ones.



Rexie married Hershel Dobbs on February 12, 1933. Their marriage was founded on true love, hard work, mutual respect, and lots of laughter. Hershel passed away June 24, 1977, and Rexie spent the next 39 years waiting for their joyful reunion. To their union two children were born, Bobby Gene Dobbs and Ritta Lou (Dobbs) Hendershot. They moved from Arkansas to California in 1933 and worked side by side, partners in every way, as they farmed in the San Joaquin Valley. She and Hershel were baptized and attended the Missionary Baptist Church in Pixley, California.



She was as close to perfect as anyone could be. She prayed faithfully for all of her children, shared her faith, and read her Bible daily. Nana was never judgmental, always loving, always smiling, and always happy to see her family. She was the person all of her grandchildren would call or come see anytime they needed unbiased, nonjudgmental advice. We all loved getting our Christmas presents from her every year because we always knew there would be a new pair of the coveted hand-knit house shoes (with pom-poms on the girls and strings to tie on the boys). She was an accomplished seamstress and made clothes for her sisters, children, and grandchildren. She also loved to crochet and knit items for everyone. Her banana bread recipe is legendary. Following the example set by her own mother, her door was always open and she would welcome anyone that needed a warm meal or a place to stay.



Rexie was preceded in death by her husband, Hershel; son, Bob Dobbs; two grandsons, Alan Dobbs and Keith Dobbs; parents, Ed and Mandy Spradlin; three brothers, Orville Vaughn, Harry Vaughn, and Otis Vaughn; six sisters, Notra (Vaughn) Eubanks, Bertha (Spradlin) Parten, Beatrice (Spradlin) Schieler, Juanita (Spradlin) Moore, Iline (Spradlin) Parten, Opal (Spradlin) Gates.



She is survived by her daughter, Ritta (Dobbs) Hendershot and husband Charles (Ernie); grandson, Mike Hendershot and wife Cheryl; granddaughters, Liane Dobbs, Laura Hendershot, and Amy (Hendershot) Jordan; great-grandsons, Logan Hendershot, Michael Jordan, Joey Palaeologus, Keith Dobbs, Jr. and wife Katie, Kevin Dobbs, Kyle Dobbs, Chris Bandy and wife Brianne; great-granddaughters, Cristy Palaeologus, Nicole Hendershot, Michele (Hendershot) Smith and husband Casy, Aliyah Hendershot, Jayden Jordan, Lily Hendershot-Roy, Heidi (Rice) Shields and husband William, Sarah (Bandy) Davis and husband Mike; great-great-grandchildren, Gwenivere Palaeologus, ANiyah Austin, Wyatt Smith, Ashlynn Dobbs, Hunter Dobbs, Trevor Davis, and Nathan Bandy.



Arrangements are being jointly arranged by Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Myers Funeral Service, Porterville, California.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Judes Childrens Hospital or the American Cancer Society.


Visitation: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Myers Funeral Service, Porterville, California

Graveside Service: Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 2:00 PM in the Tulare Cemetery, Tulare, California

Burial: Tulare Cemetery, Tulare, California

Memorial Contributions: St. Jude's Children's Hospital or American Cancer Society