Bobbie L McLaurin

Bobbie Lue McLaurin

Entered into Life: July 27, 1941

Gradated to Heaven: March 31, 2023

Bobbie Lue McLaurin was born on July 27, 1941 in Magee, Mississippi to Napoleon and Lucille McLaurin. Bobbie was the first born of six to this union.

In her early years, Bobbie joined Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Magee, MS.

She attended Magee Elementary School, Magee High School, then went on to attend Jackson State University.

In 1963, the Family uprooted to Monrovia, CA. Once settled, in 1964, Bobbie joined New Zion Hill Baptist Church, where she accepted the Lord as her personal savior. In 1965, she was blessed with her only child, Todd Payton, from the union of Curtis Payton. In 1975, Bobbie joined Second Baptist Church, in Monrovia, CA under the direction of the Reverend George Bailey. Bobbie served as an usher in the Church. In 1984, Bobbie and her son Todd moved to Pasadena, CA, where she lived for over 30 years. Shortly after moving, Bobbie joined Metropolitan Baptist Church. It was here that she met and married her husband Sam Johnson (deceased). Bobbie continued to be an active member of the Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher and was one of the Mothers of the Church. She remained a faithful member until her passing.

Bobbie worked at Burroughs Corporation as a Supervisor and then moved on to the world of education.

While employed at Burroughs, she also attended college part time to further her education and earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of La Verne, CA. Bobbie loved to teach others and in the 1980’s, she was able to follow her passion and was employed as a substitute teacher in the Monrovia and Duarte Unified School Districts.

Todd, her son, was the love of her life and was everything to her. She loved him to the moon and back. Having been a single parent she embraced any challenges that came her way. She loved the Lord and would always hum and give God all the praise for everything. The one quote she would say to Todd before hanging up was, "Thank God for All Blessings.”

When Todd shared with his mother that she was going to be a grandmother and great grandmother for the first time, it gave her so much joy in her heart. She also shared with her son and his wife Wanda, “Wedding day words could not express the happiness she felt with the addition to her family.” That was more love she had to give.

Bobbie loved life and her family. She was outspoken and was never afraid to speak her mind and correct your grammar. She loved to go shopping. She took pride in her appearance and enjoyed her favorite perfume Estée Lauder Beautiful and Pleasures. She also loved eating out, especially the buffets, and family time. Bobbie never met a stranger and attracted people wherever she went. Bobbie was known at every store and restaurant she would frequent. Everyone greeted her with a smile and respectfully addressed her as “Miss Bobbie.”

As her health declined, Bobbie moved to Duarte, CA, to be close to her two brothers, Roy and Johnny. During COVID, the three would spend time together and Bobbie looked forward to Sunday lunch. She would worship virtually with family in Mississippi and enjoyed watching the TV host Joel Olstein. Bobbie was proud of her two brothers and enjoyed the time they would spend escorting her on her many outings. She enjoyed watching TV, the news, and Judge Judy with her brother Roy. Bobbie called upon her brother Johnny to take her to go wherever and do whatever she had planned for that day. The three siblings took their last trip “home” to Magee, Mississippi to celebrate Bobbie’s 80th birthday. It was a very special time for them. It was a blessing of the bond they shared.

“As she fought the good fight," 2 Timothy 4:7, Our Lord and Savior called her home to be with Him in Glory on March 31, 2023.

She leaves to cherish her memories: Son: Todd (Wanda) Payton, Henderson, NV, Grandchildren: Sharmaine Currie, Las Vegas, NV, Todd Payton Jr., Sacramento, CA, Eric Smith Jr, Henderson, NV. Great Grandchildren: Riley Morgan, Las Vegas, NV, Chase and Eli (Cash) Payton, Sacramento, CA. Siblings: Roy (Sheri) McLaurin, Covina, CA, Johnny (Eva) McLaurin, Duarte, CA, Mary Allen (Vernell) Ainsworth, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. She also leaves a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death: Husband Sam Johnson. Parents: Napoleon and Lucille McLaurin, Sisters: Alice Ruth Ainsworth, Helen Hayes, and Willie Wright.

Special thanks to her caregiver and friend Anne, Duarte CA, and all the Doctors, Nurses and Staff members at Monte Vista Healthcare, Duarte CA.

Acknowledgment

To those of you who reached out to us in love, prayers, time, texts, calls, or any other generous act, we say “Thank You.” It is a blessing to know people care. You have truly been a blessing.

For those who shared Bobbie’s journey, we say “Thank You,” and we ask you to keep love in your hearts. We ask that you continue to remember us in your prayers as we will remember you.

We thank you and God bless you.

The Family of Bobbie McLaurin

Funeral Service:

Saturday, April 29th, 2023

1:00pm-2:00pm

Rose Hills Memorial Park

Memorial Chapel

3888 Workman Mill Road

Whittier, CA 90601

Burial Service:

Immediately Following Service