Dessie Bobo Obituary

Dessie Mae Bobo was born on June 22, 1943, to the late Robert Whitaker, Sr. and Mattie Mae (Yeargan). She was later lovingly raised by her maternal great-aunt, Catherine Barnhill. On September 2, 2025, Dessie peacefully drew her last breath and entered into eternal rest.

On December 24, 1962, she was united in marriage to the late Wallace Bobo, Jr. in Caruthersville, Missouri. Their marriage was blessed with fifty-two years of love, devotion, and partnership until Wallace's passing on November 30, 2015.

Dessie's life was marked by excellence and a deep commitment to education. She graduated as Valedictorian of Washington High School in Caruthersville, Missouri. Continuing her pursuit of knowledge, she attended A.M. & N. College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. After teaching for several years, she furthered her studies at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and received her Master's Degree in Education. Dessie dedicated thirty-eight years of her life to teaching in the Meridian School District 101 in Mounds, Illinois, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students.

Beyond her professional life, Dessie was devoted to service, fellowship, and sisterhood. She was an active and proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Order of the Eastern Star, the Golden Circle, and the Daughters of Isis. Since 2019, she also held a lifetime membership in the National Education Association, an organization that reflected her lifelong dedication to her profession.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Whitaker, Sr. and Mattie Mae Carr (Yeargan), her infant son Michael Bobo, her siblings Robert Whitaker, Jr., Lillian Wooden, Mathis Whitaker, James Hardy Whitaker, Georgia Lee Whitaker, and Jackie Carr, as well as two of the children she loved and raised, Samuel McFerron and Joyce Rodgers.

Wallace & Dessie leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and family. She will be forever cherished by the children whose lives she helped shape: Gilbert Lyde, Chris Fields, Kevin Watkins, Craig Robinson, Tyron Robinson, Debra Freeman, Cheryl Russey, Lorrie Greer, and Donna Brann. She is also survived by her sister Jacqueline Carr of Chicago, along with a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, dear friends, and her beloved church family of First Missionary Baptist Church in Mound City, Illinois, under the leadership of Pastor James R. Dowell.

Services for Dessie Mae Bobo will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at First Missionary Baptist Church - Mound City, IL. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 P.M. Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will begin at the start of the funeral service at 12:00 P.M. under the direction of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. ( Epsilon Lambda Omega Chapter-Cairo, IL). Following will begin the funeral service with Reverend James R. Dowell Officiating. Interment will be held at the Green Lawn Memorial Garden Cemetery in Villa Ridge, IL.

Professional Service & Care Entrusted To: Massie Funeral Home, Online Condolences may be left at WWW.MASSIEFUNERALHOME.COM

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