Bobbye J. Creech

Bobbye Jeanne Creech, age 95, of Jefferson City, TN left this earth for a much better place on June 16, 2022. Bobbye was born to John L. and Arminta Rachel Browning Nolan on June 11, 1927 in Bledsoe, KY. Her early education was acquired in a small country school. Later, she attended Pine Mountain Settlement School in Bledsoe, then transferred to Red Bird Mission School in Clay County, KY. Her college years were spent in Le Mars, Iowa. Eventually, she returned to Kentucky. She met and married, Howard Hensley. They had three children and lived in Lynch, KY most of their married years. When their marriage ended, she went back to school to become a RN. She worked at Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital for a number of years. She met Lloyd Creech there while helping care for his mother. They were married in 1984 and moved to his home in Aurora, Colorado. In 1999, they moved to Jefferson City, TN.

Bobbye was a member of New Market Baptist Church. She helped with projects in the church’s library. She felt good about giving time to her church and was happy to be a member of its family. She also volunteered at Life Care Center while in her 80’s and was delighted to spend her time reading to, talking with, and helping residents with projects and games. She received a “Volunteer of the Year” award and was deeply touched. She understood her help had been beneficial to others. She truly enjoyed being with every person there. When her eyesight began to fail, she could no longer participate in those activities. She was most at peace when amongst her flowers. She treasured the moments spent working with them and appreciated each plant’s form, color, and fragrance. She was captivated by the beauty she saw in the sky, clouds during the day and the moon and stars at night. She said that God gave us natural things of beauty to be enjoyed simply because he loves us. She was thoughtful and appreciative of such things.

Bobbye will be very much missed by her family and friends. Surviving children are Jan Simpson of Jefferson City, TN, Mary Matthews of Talbott, TN, and Barkley (Susan) Hensley of Lexington, KY; calling her Grandma/ Grand Bobbye are grandchildren, Christa (Michael) Lewis of Knoxville, TN, Renae ( David) Byrd of Whitesburg, TN, Wendy Hall of Knoxville, TN, Scott (Allyson) Simpson of Knoxville, TN, Rachel (Matthew) Wells of Richland, MI, and Rebecca (Andrew) Stahl of Prospect, KY; step-grandchildren, Christopher Durbin of Mexico, Joseph Durbin of Gilbert, Arizona and Stephanie Creech of Colorado; great-grandchildren are Makenzie Surgenor of Knoxville, TN, Dylan Hall of Knoxville, TN. Oliva Byrd of Houston, TX, Nolan Byrd of Knoxville, TN, Trysten and Rayley Simpson of Knoxville, TN, Charlotte, Savannah, and Madison wells of Richland, MI, Annie and Mary Rachel Stahl of Prospect, KY and great-great-grandson, Brave Hall of Knoxville, TN; and six great-step-grandchildren.  

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Smile Train” (633 Third Ave 9^th Floor New York, NY 10017) or “ International Fellowship of Christians and Jews” (Yael Eckstein, President and CEO P.O. Box 97339 Washington, DC 20077-7472). Many thanks and much gratitude to the people from hospice whose compassion and support were extremely helpful. A private Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at a later date in Kentucky.