Kathie Lynn Bobbitt

Kathie Lynn Bobbitt
July 30, 1948 – April 6, 2023

Kathie Lynn Bobbitt, 74, of South Gate, California, went home to be with the Lord on
Thursday, April 6, 2023, after a six year battle with ovarian cancer. Kathie was born in
Ventura,
CA to William and Winkie (Jewell) Bobbitt on July 30, 1948. She was the second of three
children with brother Kraig born the previous year and younger brother, Wayne, two years
later. Kathie’s early years were spent in the little town of Miner’s Oaks, CA where she could
be found hanging out at the family bakery in downtown Ojai before the family moved to
Covina, CA in 1959.
In 1966, Kathie graduated from Covina’s Northview High School before entering Mt.
San Antonio Junior College where she majored in physical education. She then transferred to
California State University at Long Beach where she received her BA degrees in physical
education, health science, and her secondary teaching credential in 1971 and 1972,
respectively. Kathie continued a more specialized form of study in public safety/accident
prevention in1975.
Kathie loved sports! Throughout her high school and college career, you could find
Kathie anywhere from maneuvering a soccer ball down the field, to the track throwing a
javelin, or spiking a ball over the net on a volleyball court. She excelled in them all!
Professionally, Kathie taught high school physical education, health, and driver’s
education for a few years. However, in 1980, Kathie found her true calling for the next 37
years. Hired by the Department of Rehabilitation for the State of California, Kathie ultimately
became their Adaptive Driver Evaluation Specialist in Downey, CA. She travelled throughout
the state evaluating untold numbers of individuals in order to help the disabled become
more independent by learning to drive specially designed vehicles tailored to meet their
needs. Kathie belonged to the California Association for Safety Education, as well as, the
California Association of Driving Programs for the Disabled. Kathie retired in 2017.
Family and friends alike loved her humorous stories and quick wit. She was highly loved
and respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Kathie had many interests and hobbies. On any given day, you could find her with dirt
under her fingernails as she loved to work in her garden. Many beloved animals found a
welcoming home with Kathie from dogs and cats to parrots and parakeets. But music was her
passion! She loved to play with her family and friends whether it be her flute, recorder, or
dulcimer. They brought her great joy as well as for others. If she knew children were going to
be around, Kathie always brought along an extra instrument or two for them to join in.
Kathie was also the family genealogist. She was the “go to gal” for anything related to the
Bobbitt family history.
Kathie is survived by her brothers, Kraig (Carol) Bobbitt, and Wayne (Vicki) Bobbitt of
Prineville, OR; nieces, Elaine (Michael) Brown of Carlsbad, CA, Tina Bobbitt Sedonne of Esher,
United Kingdom, and Tara (Steve) Platt of Keaau, HI; nephew, Chad Bobbitt of Longview, WA.

Kathie was preceded in death by her parents, William Bobbitt and Winkie Jewell.

A celebration of life will be held on April 22, 2023, at 10:30am at Kathie’s long-time
home in So. Gate, CA. At a later date, the family will hold a private graveside service at
Juniper Haven Cemetery in Prineville, OR where Kathie will be laid to rest next to her beloved
“Mummie.”
A loving thank you to Kathie’s neighbors, Donatilla, Robert and Allie as they helped to
watch over her along with numerous caring friends.
A special and heartfelt thank you and appreciation to Kathie’s best friend Maryfrances
Gross who took such tender loving care of Kathie during the last few years of her life and as
she passed into eternity with her Savior Jesus Christ.