CLARKSVILLE- Mo. — The only thing that seemed to outnumber pies for Clarksville United Methodist Church’s dessert tribute to the late Bobbi Fox was praise for her elegance.
More than 70 family, friends and others enjoyed fellowship and reminiscences while devouring almost two dozen types of pie on Aug. 3, which would have been Fox’s 94th birthday.
A brief service before the feast featured verses from the Gospel of Matthew, including the assurance that Christians “are the light of the world” and the motivational phrase “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Music was provided by organist Joanna Brock.
The Rev. Beomseon Hong described what a blessing Fox was to him and so many others.
“She gave me so much, and never asked for any reward,” he said.
Hong drew laughter and nodding heads when he spent 20 seconds naming the variety of pies made by Fox, who started baking when she was nine years old. Other diners also related stories.
Trent Meyers recalled the day he went to fix Fox’s air conditioner and was offered a coconut cream. Trouble was, Meyers didn’t have the correct motor with him, and felt guilty for accepting the confection without doing the work.
“I took it home with me, but I couldn’t eat it,” he said. “The next day, I put the motor in and went home and had pie.”
Fox also was remembered for her intelligence, generosity and subtle humor. Though her given name was Robinetta, she was always called Bobbi – and would tell people she didn’t really care how anyone spelled it.
“She was good at everything, not just pie” said a grandson, Robert Brody.
Church member Janie Busch sat beside Fox at Sunday morning services for more than a decade, and felt a special bond with her. Another member, Bob Frank, said Fox was full of grace and “showed how to do it as Jesus did.”
Frank tapped into what will likely for most people be Fox’s enduring legacy – recollections of the unmatched taste from her culinary creations.
“She made the best pea salad I ever had,” Frank noted. “When Linda (his wife) makes it, I think of Bobbi.”
In the featured image: Debra Crank-Lewis, foreground, and Penny Womble serve pie Aug. 3 to guests at Clarksville United Methodist Church’s dessert experience tribute to the late Bobbi Fox.