Marguerite (Bobbie) Barlow Krichbaum

Marguerite (Bobbie) Barlow Krichbaum, 98, formerly of 32 Dellwood St. in West Asheville, NC, passed away on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at the St. Joseph campus of Mission Hospitals. She was born in Russellville, TN on July 28, 1914, and moved to Bulls Gap, TN, at the age of two. She was the daughter of the late Edward Farmer and Irene Flora Barlow. In addition to her parents Mrs. Krichbaum was preceded in death by her husband, George West Krichbaum, Sr., brothers Keith, Paul, and Jimmy Barlow, and sisters Ruth Jones and Melba Blackburn. She is survived by her son, George West Krichbaum, Jr. and his wife, Linda; grandsons West Krichbaum and his wife, Brandi, and Zack Krichbaum, all of Raleigh; her daughter, Jennie Lynn Krichbaum of Asheville; and her sister, Flora B. Grigsby of Morristown, TN. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and special caregiver, Kathy Overman. Mrs. Krichbaum was employed by Sears, Roebuck Co. Asheville, NC, from where she retired in 1981. While her children were in school, Mrs. Krichbaum held several offices in the PTA including President at Aycock Elementary School. She was an avid fan of UNC-Chapel Hill basketball. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she taught the Kindergarten Sunday School Class for 31 years and was the second oldest church member at the time of her death. Through the years, she was a member of the United Methodist Women, the Tuesday Morning/Susanna Wesley Circle and the Bond-Sales/Sprinkle-Bagwell Sunday School Classes. Widowed when her children were ages 9 and 3, Mrs. Krichbaum raised them as a single parent. While she was always quick to deflect any credit for her efforts, she was a wonderful, nurturing mother, who lived her life with dignity, grace, and courage. Her grandsons always called her "Grandma X". Her love for them was boundless. Her family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Pisgah Manor for the care and concern they have shown Mrs. Krichbaum for the past three and one half years. Her family will receive friends on Friday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., and also on Saturday from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Officiating will be the Reverend Rodney H. Hagans, Jr. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Pisgah View Memorial Park, Candler, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Women, c/o Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806.