Bobbie Jane Phelps Bates Connell of Johnson City, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Fredericksburg. Bobbie was born in Johnson City on Feb. 20, 1930, to Nathaniel George Phelps and Dora Edith (Moon) Phelps.
Bobbie is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, James S. Bates; second husband, Clifford “Red” Connell; two brothers, Don Kirby Phelps and Douglas Ray Phelps; and two sisters, Natalie Dora Roseland and Nancy Ruth Smith.
Bobbie is survived by her three daughters, Margie Sultemeier and husband Melvin, Linda Bates Seyler, and Gail Coulter and husband Keith Bob; brother, Virgil Green Phelps and wife Gloria; sister, Cheryl Aileen Steaples and husband Don; sister-in-law, Ruth Phelps; five grandchildren, Justin Sultemeier and wife Tonya, Brian Sultemeier and wife Dawn, Megan Icke and husband Joshua, Codi Coulter, and Josi Coulter; eight great-grandchildren, Allison, MaKayla, Tyler, Jakob, Colt, Reed, Audrey, and Emery; and many nieces, nephews, other loving relatives, and a host of dear friends.
Bobbie was a teacher of life. If you have ever shared a meal with Bobbie, you likely know proper table manners include “clean your plate” and “get your elbows off the table!” If you have ever played a game of Skip-Bo or Mule Train with Bobbie, her competitive spirit has likely rubbed off on you. She taught her loved ones how to cook, sew, garden, and more. She was a community education instructor of upholstery and needlework.
Bobbie liked to keep busy. She was a talented seamstress, artist, crafter and gardener. At any given time, she could be found reading mystery or western novels or putting together a puzzle. She held a host of jobs, including waitressing, mixing mortar and laying bricks, dump truck driving, bookkeeping and farming. She sewed wedding gowns, ball gowns, and suits for the community. She was a Blanco County election judge, a 4-H leader, and a room mother for her three daughters, spanning 26 years. She was part of the A. Robinson Community Club, Blanco County Fair and Rodeo Association, and Miller Creek Cemetery Association.
Bobbie lived across the U.S., from Texas to Missouri to Florida, and even California for a couple of weeks. Bobbie was a one-of-a-kind, spirited, talented, caring, outdoorsy, original tomboy. She wanted to help everyone but took no nonsense. She loved her family and friends dearly and imparted in them these traits.
Please join the family for a visitation Thursday, Sept. 3, from 6-8 p.m. at Crofts – Crow Funeral Home in Johnson City. Private family graveside services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Hill Country Memorial Hospice, P.O. Box 835, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624 or to Miller Creek Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 608, Johnson City, TX 78636.
