Barbara Thompson Spear, “Bobbie,” devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed peacefully to be with God on December 18, 2023. Bobbie was born July 4, 1936, in Roanoke, Virginia, to Irene and Karl Thompson. She always lit up the room and lives of others with her smile and compassionate nature. 

Bobbie was a dedicated mother raising two sons before working for Representative Owen B. Pickett and later for Senator Chuck Robb. Bobbie liked helping people and felt good assisting constituents daily through her work. After she retired, she and her husband, Curt, were very active in the Christopher Newport University Lifelong Learning Society and the Christopher Newport Theatre Guild. Bobbie loved art and was a talented painter. She and Curt traveled extensively with their many friends in Lifelong Learning. Bobbie was a compassionate friend to everyone she met.

Bobbie will be remembered by her family for many Summer beach trips to Nags Head around her July 4 birthday (we know out of all of those fireworks, there will always be a special one for her), evenings going to shows at the Ferguson Center for the Arts, beautiful paintings, wonderful holidays filled with laughter, beautifully decorated home, new recipes, and special time with her grandchildren who affectionately called her Nana. 

Bobbie touched so many family members, including her husband, Curt Spear, brother Karl Thompson, sister Danti Kay Angelos (Rick), sons Doug Blount (Elaine) and Bill Blount (Christy), stepsons Curt Spear Jr (Lorrie), Richard West (Louis), stepdaughter Susie Hubbard (Steve), grandchildren Heather Reddersen (Chris), Shannon Blount, Davis Blount, Cassidy Blount, Meredith West, Drew West (Suzanne), Lauren Hubbard, Philip Hubbard, Niece Megan Thompson-Dockery (Chris), and great-grandchildren Brigit, Calvin, Benjamin, Emily, Lucien, and Frankee. 

A celebration of life will be held in the future.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the following:

1. Eastern Virginia Medical School (Alzheimer’s Disease Research or General)

Website: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/2163/donations/new/

2. Christopher Newport University (LifeLong Learning Society):

Website: https://advancement.cnu.edu/portal/give

Please Note: Under Fund, select “Other,” then add “LifeLong Learning Society”