Mr. Bobby Lee Whitmire died peacefully in Gainesville, Georgia on Jan. 12, 2021 at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Patricia Simpson Whitmire, their two children, Dale Williams (Fred) of St. Petersburg, Florida and Mark Whitmire (Ladon) of Atlanta, Georgia and two grandchildren, Jennifer Reynolds and Thomas Whitmire.

Bobby was born on Dec. 29, 1934 in Cherokee County, Georgia to J. C. and Sylvia Whitmire. He graduated from Monroe High School then married Patricia (Pat) Simpson in 1956. Graduating from Georgia State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 1961, Bobby passed the CPA exam on his first try. After moving to Tucker, Georgia, he began his 50-year career as a CPA – first as a partner in Herring and Whitmire then later as a sole practitioner. He served as President of the Georgia Society of CPAs and remained active as a past-president of the Society as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants even after retirement.

A lover of gospel music, Bobby, his wife Pat, and his father J. C. sang all over the southeast as the Rhythmaires Trio accompanied by daughter Dale in their early years then by son Mark. Early in his married life, Bobby directed the choir at Harmony Grove United Methodist Church and was Chairman of the Building Committee. He then directed the Teen Choir at Mountain Park Baptist Church (assisted by wife Pat and daughter Dale). After moving their membership to Smoke Rise Baptist Church in 1975, Bobby was a faithful tenor in the Adult Choir, served on the Board of Deacons, and served as Sunday School Superintendent where he saw membership double. After moving to the Duluth area, Bobby served in various lay leadership positions at Parkway Baptist Church including being a member of the Parkway Baptist Preschool Board of Directors. After moving to Lanier Village Estates in 2017, Bobby and Pat became members at First Baptist Church of Gainesville. Bobby’s philanthropic contributions benefitted many faith-based and educational organizations as well as the fine arts.

Avid travelers, Bobby and Pat visited five continents including chaperoning choir trips to Europe in which kids Dale and Mark participated, pleasure trips to Australia/New Zealand, the Baltics, the Mediterranean and the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, as well as an African safari in celebration of granddaughter Jennifer’s graduation from high school. Bobby loved playing golf (although he admitted not being very good at it!) and was a good sport when being teased about being left-handed. Most of all, he will be remembered for being a wonderful, hard-working, Christian man who loved his family very much.

The family would like to thank Lanier Village Estates for their efforts and care especially during the past two years. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bobby’s memory to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.