Barbara (Bobbie) Swisher of Troy, Alabama, peacefully passed away from pancreatic cancer, in her home, on July 27, 2014 at 88 years of age. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Troy, with Rev. Steve Winton officiating and Green Hills Funeral Home directing. A visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Rhae M. Swisher, Jr. and two granddaughters, Beth Ann Kimes and Heather Lynn Kimes. She is survived by her sister, Donna Kipp and her three children, Deborah Boehm (Jim), Rhae M. Swisher, III (Cheryl) and Karen Swisher Grinstead (Joe). In addition, she is survived by five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Bobbie was born in Lodi, Ohio. She received a BA in Journalism from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and a Master’s degree from Kansas State University. Bobbie taught English and Journalism in Manhattan, Kansas and Indianola, Iowa from 1964-1973. In 1973, Bobbie and her husband, Rhae, moved to Troy where Rhae took a position in the Business School at Troy University. Bobbie took an English teaching position at Troy Middle School for a year, before moving to Charles Henderson High School where she taught English, Journalism and Debate. She led a very successful Debate program before she retired in 1989. Bobbie was an active member at First United Methodist Church, the Troy Arts Council, 19th Century Women Music Study Club and the Garden Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church (213 Three Notch St., Troy, AL) or Hospice Advantage (199 U.S. Highway 231 N., Troy, AL). Family and friends can sign the guest book at greenhillsfuneralhome.net. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Swisher family.