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Statesboro Legend Patsy Bobo Died Sunday Morning

The news of the death of Patsy Bobo this morning has shocked our community. Patsy died this morning after battling a long illness, surrounded by family and friends at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro.
Patsy Bobo

The news of the death of Patsy Bobo this morning has shocked our community.  Patsy died this morning after battling a long illness, surrounded by family and friends at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro.  Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete at this time.  We will update this story when arrangements are announced.

Patsy Bobo will be remembered as an incredibly talented business woman turned philanthropist.  Her mark on our our community is difficult to explain.  She is best known for founding the Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards in partnership with the Statesboro Herald.  For three decades, the Deen Day Smith Awards have recognized and honored hundreds of our communities most outstanding philanthropists and humanitarians.

“Bulloch County and Statesboro has lost a true giant and cheerleader for our community”, said Gerald Edenfield.  “She is the epitome of a true Southern Belle and Humanitarian.  There is not one part of our community that she did not love and have an impact on.  She was a true friend.  One you never said no to.  I will miss her dearly, as will our community.”

Gerald was often the recipient of her humor and kindness.  He recalled year after year the jokes they played on each other including him putting a for sale sign on their home one year when they were out of town on an extended vacation.

Patsy was “THE” hostess in our community.  She loved to entertain and her and her husband David’s Christmas parties were legendary.  She made sure our community was decorated for every season and that we always put our best foot forward as a community in every way possible.

“I got to know Patsy initially when I worked as the administrative officer to Hal Averitt, the President of Sea Island Bank at the time.  I remember what a powerful presence she was”,  said Kathy Spivey.  “She was a larger than life personality and she used her personality, charisma and dogged determination to push the leaders of our community to be better and promote our community in unimaginable ways.  She shunned the spotlight and always was focused on helping others.  She had the ability to dream bigger than any person I knew and then back up those dreams in ways that were more incredible than her dreams.  Which often seemed impossible.”

For over five decades she was Statesboro’s chief cheerleader and sales person.  She truly believed that this was the best community in the world to live, work and play.  She worked hard to make sure everyone knew how special this community was.

Patsy was 78 and is survived by her husband David, son Rocker, daughter-in-law Elizabeth and two grandsons and a sister Doris Sherwood.