Bobby Darrell Edmonds
April 9, 1941 – September 7, 2022
Bobby Darrell Edmonds, 81, of Chesterfield, VA, passed away on September 7, 2022, at his home under Hospice care.
Bobby was born in Clintwood, VA. He was a military veteran, having served in the United States Air Force during the 1960s at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii where he met his wife and married her. His first civilian jobs when he was discharged from military service and brought his family home to Lebanon, were varied. He worked in the coal mines for Clinchfield Coal Company in Southwest Virginia; at Monroe Calculator Company in Bristol, VA and at the same time attended night school to learn data processing.
He temporarily left the family in Lebanon to seek a job in data processing in the Richmond Metro area. He landed a night shift at the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles in Richmond and a short time later, joined the Data Processing Division of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Virginia and moved his family to Richmond. His career at Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield spanned progressively higher positions and he retired from there in the year 2000 after 30 years of service.
During his working career, he was a member of the Tuckahoe Lions Club and he was an avid amateur car restorer. The last car he restored was a 1964½ white Mustang convertible, which he proudly got to show at the Antique Mustang Show in Mechanicsville, VA.
For his retirement years, he and his family moved to the Northern Neck to the waterfront town of Kinsale, VA. He enjoyed immensely being on the water, fishing, and watching the amazing beauty of God’s creation. Every day was different on the water, and he had a special friend (a Blue Heron which he named “Big Blue”) who spent a lot of time under his dock fishing for his dinner.
Bobby was an active member of the Light of Christ Anglican Church in Heathsville, VA during its transition from the Episcopal Church of North America to the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA).
After 18 years in the Northern Neck, the process of aging and increasing medical issues required that the family move back to the Richmond Metro area. The family joined the Church of the Holy Cross (REC) where Bobby again took an active part in the church’s operation. He was a member of the Bishop’s Committee and the Building Committee.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Louise Castle and Emmett Lee Edmonds of Lebanon, VA.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Pauline Leite Edmonds of Chesterfield, VA; son, Darrell Allen Edmonds (Kathe) of Midlothian, VA; brother, Charles Edmonds (Susan) of Cleveland, VA; sisters-in-law, Donna Kay Edmonds of Lebanon, VA, and Natalie Leite Ekinaka (Michael), of Irvine, CA; and numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Building Fund at Church of the Holy Cross, P.O. Box 8, Moseley, VA 23120.
A beautiful tribute to a Bobby. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Bobby, you played a major part to the foundation of my career. I am blessed because of it. Those that work for me are blessed because of the caring principles to instilled in me. People like you are too rare.
I love you and look forward to seeing you again where there is no sickness or sadness.
Millicent
“OLD-AND-NEW”
“Squirt”
Bobby has been my close friend for nearly 40 years. We met while working at Blue Cross Blue Shield, and my husband Don and I have enjoyed wonderful times with him and Pauline. There are special people we meet along life’s road who help us appreciate the journey. Bobby was one of them.
Bobby was a great wonderful man who could also be very funny. I think everyone that knew Bobby loved him. He loved God & God loved him. He was generous & kind. He & Pauline made a wonderful couple. So active at Light of Christ & then Holy Cross. One of our best + fun filled times was going on a cruise with them + 6 others. Not much more I can say .. I know the Lord will have a good supply of ice cream for you Bobby!
Pauline,
George and I are so sorry to hear of Booby’s passing. We were blessed to have the two of you as neighbors in Kinsale.
Bobby was wonderful man and we hope all of your wonderful memories will be of comfort.
Bobby, thanks for all the wonderful memories that Betty and I shared with you and Pauline as we traveled together. You were always a bright light of humor and good will and we will never forget you. That evening in the French restaurant when we asked for a desert for you that we thought woult not be too foreign to your taste was such a memorable experience. The look on your face when the flambéed fired up on the cherries juilee put us into hysterics. We’ll always remember you with a smile.