Celebrating Bo!

This obituary is not formal or sad in tone. It is a humorous story, just like Evelyn, Mom, Aunt Evelyn, Ms. Cobb, or Bo (her nickname that stuck) would tell. I will share a story that cannot capture all of her 82 years but will give you a glimpse at how wonderful it was to have her in our lives.

Evelyn Doris was born to the late Arbella Faison Moore and Richard John Moore on 24 May 1941. That was a fantastic day. The youngest of 10 children, and yes, she was spoiled; however, one might have thought she was on the path to becoming a gangster since she engaged in some stunts with her siblings that would probably be borderline 911 calls today. But her torture of a childhood young boy named Burnis was relentless. Evelyn described in vivid detail how she planned each torture session, from working all day to catch bees that she then carefully placed in an old car that Burnis liked to pretend he was driving, to dashing bath water on him because he looked at her. All of which earned her spankings that she gladly accepted and even felt it was totally worth it.

Although there were many more exploits, her mentor and favorite uncle, Matthew, was the center of some of her most cherished memories. I argue she learned some of her "gangster" ways from Uncle Matt and her partner in crime, her niece Hazel ("Pea"). Of course, she was not a real gangster but went on to graduate from Hargrove High School in Sampson County, NC, in 1959 and soon after married the man of her dreams (and later sparring partner), Harvey J. Cobb, Jr.

They discovered new worlds as she joined Harvey, aka June, on a 26-year Air Force career, where she served as a devoted spouse and mom. They welcomed four kids into the world, with the last two as a complete surprise! Rob and I were equally surprised to have our worlds upended with twin brothers. We thought, like Bo, that it was going to be just the three of us kids, but wow, were we mistaken.

The twins may have been one of her more amazing accomplishments, but boy, did they keep her busy. From discovering busted fish tanks and soaking carpets to finding out that Donnie and Ronnie were quite the party hosts, showering their friends with barbecues and beverages, all at Mom and Dad's expense when they happened to be out of town.

From being a Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout den mother, sports chauffeur, and cheering squad, Bo managed the family with keen expertise that made us all feel like we lived in the lap of luxury, even though that was not the case. She budgeted like she was a wolf on Wallstreet, and she would give her kids her last dollar.  If she couldn't buy that cool outfit, she would make it! From prom dresses, men's suits, and wedding gowns to devil and tiger costumes, she was a world-class seamstress . . . just one of her many talents. Bo was so generous that she rode her bike to work when we lived in Tampa so that Rob could have a car to drive while in high school (yep, he was her favorite). She even had a stint as a live-in nanny for Donnie and Kara because she didn't want them to pay so much for daycare, or was it the adorable grandbaby that lured her there?

The Air Force was a gateway where Bo wove her magic throughout her travels. Living in Mississippi, Iowa, Florida, Colorado, and Germany, Evelyn worked in various positions over the early years. She worked as a nursing assistant, substitute teacher, and dental technician before she remained on the retail path. I guess it was destiny because she was the first Black cashier at Gibson's Department Store in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, in the early 1960's. That was her entry into retail that paved the way for her career with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), starting as a sales associate and culminating as a customer service manager at Langley Air Force Base, VA. Bo loved her time at Langley and made many friends throughout the years. She also loved the fringe benefit of getting in on fabulous deals!

Evelyn's travels continued when she visited her daughter in exotic places like Valdosta, Georgia, Azores (islands of Portugal), San Angelo, Texas, and Oahu, Hawaii (she made that trip twice with her BFF, Lurline). Her favorite place of all was the Azores. She loved sleeping while listening to the waves through the closed shutters. Bo also appreciated the slow pace of the island, the many hydrangeas, and all the farms and cows (she really liked cows).

If you knew Bo, you know she loved getting dressed up with coordinating outfits, specifically her pins, shoes, and pocketbooks! I could have sworn Bo was born during the Depression because she never wanted to get rid of anything. Thus, her expansive clothing and accessory collections. She was absolutely stunning on Sundays when going to church and equally beautiful when traveling to high school reunions or San Antonio. And that hair, long and neatly styled, many would ask if she was of Native American descent, and she would say, "sure—Blackfoot." That was Bo.

She had a quick wit and a ready response. She was a captivating storyteller. The stories she shared about her childhood kept us on the edge of our seats. Later, her methods evolved as she re-imagined fairy tales into creative blends of how they were written and how she interpreted them with some modern flair. She would tell these fairy tales to Donnie and Ronnie at bedtime, but they were always wide awake at the end. I wonder why because who knew Jaws was the reason Capt. Hook had a peg leg in Peter Pan?

Bo was also known for her cooking, which included many signature dishes, such as tacos, fried chicken with rice and gravy, Italian sausage sandwiches, and chitterlings (chitlins). She also made hog maws in a white garlic sauce, and, according to her daughter-in-law (Sabrina), she could make some really delicious "mutton" (it was actually roast beef).

Of all the things to miss about Bo, the ones that stand out are not just her many talents, but also her love of crafting, singing, and gardening, her ability to fall asleep on the spot anytime/any place, and her loving, humorous, and caring spirit, which showed through typically in all that she did.

That spirit was present while volunteering at World Victory Church and Life Center (WVCLC). She worked with Ms. Arrie Stevens as a seamstress for the Christmas and Easter events and served with Mr. David Avans as one of the "kitchen witches" (her words). However, one of her favorite things to do was to sing on stage with the choir on Mother's Day.

If you married into the family, Bo considered you as her child, which meant she had more people to chastise, which much later included grandchildren too. She took great pride in chastising us and would always add, "I know you're mad, but get over it because I'm the mama or the grandmama            " . . . remember those gangster ways I mentioned. Of course, her bark was much worse than her bite; we all got away with quite a bit.

There are so many more wonderful and funny stories to share, but time and space are of the essence. You can hear some of them from those left behind to cherish and honor Bo's memory. Her husband of 64 years, Harvey, or one of her three children, Donnie, Rob (Sabrina), and me, Kimberly (Marvin Cox), or one of the five grandchildren: Madison, Spencer, Harrison, Jada, or Sydney. You could even ask her sister-in-law, Betty Frederick (William), and her brother-in-law, Robert Stevens (Doretha). I cannot possibly name all of her remaining nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, but three friends who have been extremely close for many years, like Lurline Cox, Anne Huey, and Jackie Boyd, all have entertaining stories to share!

Evelyn was preceded in death by her son, Ronnie, and all her siblings: Harold Moore, Thomas Moore, Albert Lee Moore, Roy Moore, Betty Weaver, Doretha Stevens, Yonnie Moore, Thelma Moore, and Gladys Fryar.

Acknowledgement

There are those whose lives and deaths cannot be diminished. Their love radiates forever in the hearts of family and friends. We felt such love in the thoughtfulness we have seen during this difficult time. Thank you so much for the prayers, support, kindness, and sympathy. We will always remember them with deep gratitude. We are also most grateful for the Heartland Hospice Care Center, specifically Vicki Reason, Chaplain, and Joan Davis, Registered Nurse, for their compassionate care and guidance. Special thanks to Deacon Shirley Fraser, Ms. Joyce Chestang, and Ms. Dahlia Hendricks. Deacon Fraser and Ms. Hendricks for their almost daily trips to see Bo and help with her care while in hospital and rehab. Ms. Chestang for her seemingly endless gifts of nourishment so that Dad got some nutritious food into his diet. And for all the others:

Perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat with us quiet in a chair.

Perhaps you sent those beautiful flowers or plant, that we saw sitting there.

Perhaps you provided delicious meals and beverages for all to taste.

Perhaps you comforted friends and family with a warm embrace.

Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend or relative could say.

Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us each day.

Whatever you did to console us we thank you so much for whatever part.

~The Family of Evelyn Doris Cobb

A public viewing will be held in her honor from 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, March 15, 2024, at O. H. Smith and Son Funeral Home with the family present between 5:00 and 6:00 pm.

A funeral service will be held to celebrate her life at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at World Victory Church and Life Center, 5900 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA 23605. The service will be live streamed on the World Victory Church and Life Center YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@worldvictorychurchandlifec4628

Professional Services Entrusted To:

O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home

3009 Chestnut Avenue

Newport News, VA 23607

"We are honored to serve the family of Evelyn Doris Cobb."