Bobbye L. Runnels

Our wonderful Bobbye L. Runnels passed away peacefully at home in Sun City West, Arizona on October 22, 2014 with her husband Floyd by her side.

Bobbye was born May 18, 1934 in Round Rock, Texas to Clyde Milton Love and Carrie Mae Love (nee Bingham). She graduated from Sharp High School and soon after met future husband Joe Neal Runnels Jr while watching Joe pole vault at the University of Texas. Bobbye and Joe wed on July 6, 1953 in Tumwater, WA. They settled in Bellevue, WA in the early 1960s and raised two sons. A very devoted mother who attended all her sons’ year-around school and athletic events, Bobbye spent her leisure time making flower arrangements in the Newport Hills Garden Club, playing in a women’s golf club, and a neighborhood bridge club.. To further explore her creative side, she took up pottery as a hobby in the early 70’s. Her early works proved to be popular in local arts and crafts shows, and her talents and artistry continued to blossom. By the time she had thrown her final pot, she had put both her sons through college from her pottery earnings.

When Joe was stricken with cancer in 1983, Bobbye never left his side during his 15-month illness. Two years after Joe’s passing, a mutual love of dancing brought Bobbye and Floyd Jones together. They married on May 22, 1988 in Bellevue. Floyd’s overseas work assignment with Boeing afforded the newlyweds the opportunity to travel. So from the late 80’s thru the 90’s, the Texas farm girl from a graduating class of 8 students traveled to far-away points on the globe. Settling in Sun City West beginning in 2001, Bobbye and Floyd enjoyed attending Seattle Mariners spring training games in Peoria, and traveling to family gatherings in Washington and Texas.

Family and friends will always remember Bobbye as a sweet, creative, loyal, and strong-minded role model. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband Floyd Jones of Sun City West, AZ; son Clay Runnels and wife Vicki of Duvall, WA; son Craig Runnels and wife Kathie of Bellevue, WA; granddaughters Lyndsey, Rebecca, and Jacqueline Runnels; and her siblings residing in Texas: Brothers Jimmie, Dennis, Leon, and Lynn Love; and sisters Nancy Bales, Florene Acord, Dorothy Stevenson, Elaine Merritt, Susie Dixon, and Judi Kruse, along with many nieces and nephews.

Burial at Sunset Hills Memorial Park.

Remembrances can be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association.