Barbara "Bobbie" Elizabeth (Jarvis) Warman (1927-2019)

WARMAN, JARVIS, COBURN, LELIGDON, NELSON, CARROLL

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:

Barbara "Bobbie" Elizabeth Jarvis Warman passed away October 25, 2019, in the Green Hills Healthcare Center in Ames, Iowa. Bobbie was born to Roy and Opal Jarvis on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1927, in Bendale, West Virginia. She had one older brother, Joe. Bobbie grew up in West Virginia and graduated from Normantown High School. She earned her bachelor's degree in home economics from West Virginia University, and completed her dietetic internship in Hartford, Connecticut. Bobbie met her life partner, Roy Elton Warman, on a blind date while attending WVU. She and Roy were married on July 19, 1950, and embarked on an enriched, full life together over the next 58 years.

The first stop for Bobbie and Roy was The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio; daughters Sue Ellen and Carol Louise were born in the same hospital where Bobbie worked as a dietitian. The family moved on to Austin, Texas, and completed their family with a third daughter, Sara Elizabeth. In 1960 they moved to Ames and became immersed in the community and Iowa State University. Bobbie loved being an at-home mother when the girls were young and was very involved with youth activities, leading the infamous Unitarian FROG group, and serving as a Camp Fire leader for many years.

Bobbie and Roy's commitment to their community was recognized in 1999 when they were named Volunteers of the Year. Bobbie and Roy were long-time active members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames, where Bobbie served in numerous roles, including president. More recently, she volunteered at Mitchell Elementary School where she loved reading with the second graders. Other organizations that Bobbie was passionate about and gave her time to include Iowa State University Faculty Women's Club, Story County Mental Health Board, Planned Parenthood, Mary Greeley Hospitality Shop, Worldly Goods, The Iowa Games, and various groups within the Green Hills Retirement Community. Bobbie was active in state and local politics for many years and ran for the Iowa House of Representatives in 1976.

In 1972 she began her career at Iowa State University as an academic advisor for freshman home economics students, where she also served as faculty advisor for Phi Upsilon Home Economics Honorary for many years. She was honored to be selected as the 1981 Outstanding Academic Advisor. Always an avid learner, Bobbie received her Master's degree in Higher Education from ISU in 1981. She retired in May 1990, after 18 years of guiding and encouraging countless young students to realize their potential and achieve their goals.

After retiring Bobbie and Roy traveled the world, often with Friendship Force Cultural Exchange Program. They loved learning about different cultures in their travels and welcomed many international guests into their home while serving as Friendship Force hosts. Bobbie never met a stranger and trips often included new friends being added to the annual Christmas letter list!

Bobbie loved to spend time with family and friends. She was always there with an open heart, a listening ear, and homemade comfort food on a moment's notice. Bobbie was an avid Cyclone fan, faithfully attending basketball and football games for over 50 years. She embraced her Green Hills family, sharing her love of food as the long-time organizer of monthly Green Hills birthday potlucks, never complete without her famous spinach casserole. Bobbie was an eternal optimist, regardless of what challenges life presented. She truly loved being with others and her radiant smile lit up the room with each visitor that stopped by to see her, even as her health failed.

More than anything, Bobbie's greatest pride and joy was her family. She cherished each individual, valuing their unique strengths and interests. Bobbie welcomed her three son-in-laws, Tom Coburn, David Leligdon, and Kirk Nelson, into the family with love and open arms. Her happiest times were those spent with family - singing songs around the piano, playing cards, cooking and baking, cheering on the Cyclones, and even the occasional leg wrestling match!

Bobbie is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Sue (Tom) Coburn, Carol (David) Leligdon, and Sara (Kirk) Nelson as well as seven grandchildren, Becky (Tom) Carroll, Erin Coburn, Sam Coburn, Margaret Leligdon, Adam Leligdon, Brian Nelson, Tom Nelson, and one great-granddaughter, Catherine Carroll. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Frances Warman, brother-in-law James Warman, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy.

Bobbie's family will celebrate her life with a memorial service on Saturday, November 9th at 2:00 pm in the Green Hills Community Room. Memorials may be made in Bobbie's memory to the Iowa State University Foundation, Ames Youth & Shelter Services, or Southern Poverty Law Center.

http://www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com/
 

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