Margaret Elizabeth Weathers Dove (Bobbie), was born September 8, 1932 in Dothan, Alabama. She passed away at home in Birmingham on January 4, 2026.
Bobbie’s early years were spent in Dothan with her parents, Jane Farmer and Lawrence Malone Weathers. As an only child for 10 years, Bobbie especially enjoyed spending time with female first cousins, Martha McBryde (Foy) and Miriam Jones (Thomas), with whom she remained close until their deaths. By 1945, brothers Charles and Frank and sister, Alice joined the family at 109 North Iroquois where they shared many happy occasions together. Bobbie attended Dothan High School where an accounting teacher recommended Earl Dove as a tutor to the shy, mathematically challenged Bobbie. Having known each other casually for years, this was the ideal opportunity for Bobbie to better know Earl. They married March 18, 1954 and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where she worked with The Tennessee Valley Authority until Earl graduated with a degree in Transportation from The University of Tennessee. After graduation, Bobbie and Earl moved around, eventually settling in Montgomery. With children, John, Jane, Mike and Amy all born within 2 1/2 years, Bobbie stayed busy caring for her family. She and Earl were active members of First Baptist Church where many dear friendships were made. In 1977, with all 4 children in college, Bobbie and Earl moved home to Dothan where they became active members of First Baptist Church and continued their travels and community activities. Following the death of her sister, Alice Shuff (Ron), in 1980, Bobbie often made the trip to Franklin, TN to visit Ron and his 3 children with Alice. She adored Marla, Ron, Jr. and Jon David and some of her favorite memories were the family Christmas sing alongs led by the musically talented Shuffs. Throughout her life, Bobbie loved to travel and took every available opportunity to show the world to her 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and anyone willing and ready to go. On a boring weeknight, she could plan a trip to London and be packed and on a plane the next morning, with her purse always tucked up under one arm. She never took a camera on her travels, insisting she couldn’t enjoy what she was seeing for worrying about trying to capture a photo. She loved to read, especially mysteries and was always on the search for a new mystery author. Agatha Christie and Miss Marple remained her lifelong favorites. Bobbie loved lunches out with friends and family and in later life, she and Earl especially enjoyed their regular Friday evening dinners with close friends. Southern through and through with a delightful drawl, her life was rich and fulfilling with much love and many highlights, and she was grateful for every minute of it.
