Bobbie Marie Underwood

Bobbie Marie (Avey) Underwood, age 90, of Ballinger died August 31, 2009 in San Angelo, Texas.

She was born March 31, 1919, in San Marcos, Texas, to Everett Edward (Doc) and Mary Elizabeth Avey. She was named Bobbie in honor of her maternal grandfather, Robert Hills, who had immigrated from England and settled as a farmer in Hays County. She was the sole surviving issue of the seven Hills daughters, growing up with much love and support as the jewel of a doting family.

At a young age, Bobbie moved with her parents to Talpa, Texas, where her father was a farmer. On weekends, her father worked as a custodian at the Talpa Methodist Church. Bobbie loved to accompany Doc to the church early on Sunday morning to light the heaters and set the church in order for services, and her delight was to help pull the rope that rang the church bells.

She completed first grade in Talpa before the family moved to Ballinger in 1926, where Bobbie attended elementary, junior high, and high school. As a teen, she was the Fire Department sweetheart, giving recitations at the department gatherings and district meetings, and one state convention in Austin in 1931 where the then-12 year old spoke at the Capitol and the Driskell Hotel. Doc Avey and Bobbie's uncle, DeGress Posey, were both active firemen. She was also in the pep squad from 1933-34 leading cheers in a red sweater with black skirt, the school colors of the Ballinger High School Bearcats.

After graduating from Ballinger High School 1935, Bobbie moved to San Marcos, where four of her mother's sisters lived together in a two-story house on Olive Street. She attended what is now Texas State University in San Marcos majoring in education. While attending school, she worked as a ticket taker at the movie theatre on the Square, and later in life enjoyed telling her family about special theatre promotions that included giving away dishes and other promotional gifts, and how entire families would come to the show on weekends, as it was the main form of entertainment at that time.

One day, Bobbie's college biology lab partner was ill and did not attend class, so a student from another class came to partner with her to make up a class he'd missed. After this chance meeting, Bobbie Avey and E.B. Underwood remained partnered for life, marrying in 1938, and enjoying a loving marriage of 56 years until E.B.'s death in 1995. During their marriage, the couple lived in Beeville, Cuero, Austin, and Lubbock while E.B. was a highway patrolman. She returned to Ballinger during World War II while her husband was stationed in India. After the war, they moved back to Austin for him to attend UT Law School, returning permanently to Ballinger in 1949 when he opened his law office. Also in 1949, Bobbie began working at the Ballinger office of the federal Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. She retired in 1980 after over three decades of dedicated service.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and infant sister, Dorothy Belle Avey.

Bobbie and Ellie had three children: E.B. Underwood, Jr., Martin Everett (Buzzy) Underwood, and Pamela Sue Avey-Underwood, six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and other extended family who reside in various locations in Texas and out-of-state.

Bobbie was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Ballinger for over 80 years, including the Friendship Sunday School class. She served as president of the Ballinger Women's Golf Association and was active in other community organizations. She loved to hunt in Texas and Colorado, and she had fished all over Texas as well as Alaska, Colorado, Brazil and New Zealand. She was a world traveler, visiting over 40 countries on six continents. She was an excellent cook and a warm hostess who loved having friends and family visit at any time, but especially at Christmas and special occasions. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary and enjoyed sending cards and notes to others. Most of all, she loved Jesus and is no doubt at peace now in Heaven with God and her loved ones who preceded her.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church located at 1501 Broadway in Ballinger, Texas 76821. Rev. Joe Chamness will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Baird, Jerry Egan, Gene Davis, Fred Harwell, Charlie Frey, Jim Woodruff, Dale Herring and Kyle Mansell. Honorary pallbearers are W. R. "Buddy" Gray, Herman Virden, Bob Fowler, James Mueller, James Thompson, Ray Alderman, Dr. John Green, Jack Hatler, Oran Bigby, Chauncey Mansell and Robert Isbell. Graveside services and burial will be in Garden of Memories, with a family visitation to follow in the church parlor.

The family wishes to especially thank Bobbie's loving caregivers, Olga Briones, Eva Perez, Teresa Rivera and Ashley Rivera.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Ballinger, or to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center located at 3001 South Jackson, San Angelo, Texas 76904.