Bobbie Joan Thomas Guettner left this world behind on Tuesday April 8 at the age of 86. She flew into the open arms of Jesus at approximately 1:50 in the afternoon, joining her husband, Thomas L. Guettner, who preceded her in death at the age of 62 when she was only 58. She longed for this day for many years but was determined to work and serve until Jesus called her home.

She will be missed by her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren. Portia Reimer (Jim), Lisha Harvey (Phil), Scott Guettner (Julia), and their children: Haley, Hannah, and Abby (Reimer); Paige Watkins and Missy Harvey; Samantha and Garrett (Guettner).

Bobbie’s later years were filled with the joy of knowing and loving 15 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Bobbie Joan was the eldest child of Harlan and Edith Feezell Thomas born August 26, 1939. She is survived by Harlan R. (Bud) Thomas and preceded in death by her siblings Ota T., Ann, and Sue.

She was raised in the home of her grandparents, Crawford and Hazel Thomas and her uncle, Garland Thomas in South Harriman. By all accounts, she was doted on by her Granny, her aunts and uncles, and their children. She was sent to school in a taxi when it rained. She was not allowed to wear red shoes or cut her hair. The last two are the first things she did when she got married at 18.

She developed an early junk food habit as evidenced by years of expensive dental work and then by the amount of candy, donuts, ice cream, and chips fed to her grandchildren.

As a child she was taught the scriptures from her earliest days and showed her love for God by obeying His commandments and loving and serving others.

She was a church lady in all the best ways and she had the full assortment of Tupperware containers to prove it. She grew up at South Harriman Baptist Church and was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist and Victory Baptist churches in Kingston.

Bobbie  taught Sunday School, cooked and delivered meals, visited elderly widows, sat by the bedside of the dying, opened a food pantry to feed the hungry, clothed those in need, made endless lists on the back of paper plates when she  organized pot lucks and funeral meals, welcomed strangers and friends into her home, fought for those who were disabled, chaperoned youth activities,

befriended people in trouble, gave generously in good times and bad, and faithfully supported missionaries in foreign lands to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

With God’s help she did all of this over the course of a lifetime, while being a devoted wife and raising her family. Dementia changed her ability to do these things, but not her desire. She often said, that if the job was worth doing, it was worth doing right. She admired hard work and taught her children to iron their clothes.

Those who knew her have been blessed by her example and covered by her prayers. it is hard to imagine life without her, but we will see her again one day. “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28

The family will receive friends 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Fraker Funeral Home with funeral service following with Rev. Eddie Chasteen officiating.  Graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 13, 2026, at Cedar Grove Cemetery.  Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston in charge of all the arrangements.