Jacqueline "Jackie" Durden Tobey

Jacqueline “Jackie” Durden Tobey who loved books, family, watching Alabama football, and Jesus passed away peacefully on July 8,2020. Jackie was born in Fort Valley, Georgia on June 17, 1930. She graduated from Swainsboro High School at the age of sixteen earning the distinction of Salutatorian for the senior class. Jackie attended Mars Hill College where she met the love of her life, Dr. Thomas “Tom” Tobey. After graduating from Mars Hill College, she and Tom completed their undergraduate degrees at Wake Forest University. Jackie received her Master’s degree from Carver School of Missions and Social Work before beginning a lifelong career as a social worker. Jackie’s favorite job was being a school social worker for Jefferson County (Alabama) Public Schools. She loved to love on people. She was an advocate for children, taking them to doctors and dentists and being a support person for struggling families. One of Jackie’s favorite activities was delivering Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to students who would otherwise have been without a meal for the holidays. Jackie was a member of Brookwood Baptist Church in Mountain Brook, Alabama. She was honored when elected by the congregation as one of the church’s first female deacons.

Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Thomas Tobey of Birmingham, AL., her father Joe A. Durden of Swainsboro, Ga; mother Maxwell Taylor Durden of Fort Valley, GA; and guardian Elizabeth Taylor Smith of Birmingham, AL. She is survived by Timothy M. Tobey of Birmingham and Jill Lightner (Lewis) of Hendersonville, NC. “Oma”, as she was lovingly known by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, is also survived by Marion Snipes (Dale) of Jackson, GA; Ashley Broome (Johnathan) of Clayton, NC; and Amanda Arrowood (Ryan) of Cumming, GA. Jackie has 4 beautiful great grandchildren, Logan Snipes, Emerson Arrowood, Ryker Arrowood, and Palmer Broome. Jackie’s extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins are far reaching and gave her great joy in life.

Her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32- “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

The family will have a private graveside service at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, VA on July 18th, 2020 at 10:00 am. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Brookwood Baptist Church “Marriage and Family Counseling” to honor Tom and Jackie’s life’s work in Marriage and Family Counseling. A memorial service in Birmingham will be held at a later time.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden, NC and Lotz Funeral Home in Salem, VA are both assisting the family. Condolences may be left on either or both funeral home websites.