Virginia Elizabeth Crabtree Dobbs (Jenny) passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on May 4, 2017, exactly three years to the day from the death of her beloved husband of 65 years, Dr. William L. Dobbs, on May 4, 2014. Since his passing, Jenny, or Miss Jenny as she was also affectionately known, was lovingly cared for by the extraordinarily kind, compassionate, and professional staff at Merryvale Assisted Living. She received excellent additional support in the last few weeks from Longleaf Hospice that came on-site to Merryvale. Jenny was born on November 6, 1926, in Memphis/Shelby County, Tennessee to the late Cynthia Elizabeth Laster Crabtree and the late Noah Charles (Jack) Crabtree. Jenny had one sister, the late Betty Ann Shumway. On October 30, 1948, Jenny married William Loyd Dobbs, who was an optometry student at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis at the time, and she joined him as he moved back to Covington in 1950 to start his successful optometry practice. During the twenty-six years that Dr. Dobbs was in office as Covington's longest-serving mayor, Jenny was often referred to as "the First Lady of Covington." Always supportive of the community, Jenny's involvement reached back to the 1960s when she acted as a yearbook advisor for Newton County High School and continued with her interest in various civic projects that would enhance Covington's quality of life. For a number of years, she was a hostess at the Governor's Mansion in Atlanta, greeting visitors with her smiling presence. Jenny enjoyed painting, and she was commissioned as an artist to produce murals for several private homes and organizations. She also loved to garden and was an avid collector of frog figurines, especially frogs with crowns. Jenny loved animals and was very partial to dogs. She was a loyal consumer of Coca-Cola, claiming to always be able to tell the difference between a real Coke and Pepsi, which she adamantly refused to drink. She and Dr. Dobbs could often be spotted in the evenings or on the weekends parked on the Covington Square eating ice cream, which was a favorite food of hers. From hats to shoes, Jenny was noted for her fashionable outfits, and she had a true passion for clothes shopping. In addition, she and Dr. Dobbs regularly attended auctions in Atlanta where she would bid on and win untold treasures, unique items, and not-to-be-passed-up bargains. Like her husband, her real joy in life was traveling. From car rides around town, to a car trip to Mexico City, Jenny and Dr. Dobbs loved the excitement and adventure of seeing new places and meeting new people, flying to world destinations in Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East to ride elephants, see the Pyramids, and climb the Mayan ruins. However, home was always Covington for Jenny, and family was her focus. She and Dr. Dobbs were founding members of the first Episcopal church in Covington, the Church of the Good Shepherd. Jenny was also a previous member of the Eastern Star. Jenny is survived by her son, William Bryant Dobbs, II (Bill), her daughter-in-law, Deborah, and her granddaughter, Bess, who was the pride of Jenny and Dr. Dobbs. Jenny is also survived by her sister-in-law, Peggy Long, as well as nephews, Jim Alexander and his wife Barbara, Fred Alexander and his wife Linda, John Hecker, and niece, Melody Long. Jenny is also survived by several great-nephews and great-nieces. A memorial service for Jenny will be held on Monday, May 8, at 10:30 a.m. at the Wesley Chapel of Covington First UMC at the corner of Monticello and Church Streets, which was the original home of the Church of the Good Shepherd, with Rev. Dr. Douglas Gilreath and The Rev. M. Edwin Beckham officiating. The family will receive friends at 10:00. A private burial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association Georgia Chapter, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30346 or to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 4140 Clark Street SW, Covington, GA 30014.
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