James Robert "Bobby" Renfrow Jr.

• Born: April 17, 1943 Johnston, NC
• Died: April 1, 2022 Raleigh, Wake, NC
• Married: Betty Gail Reaves on April 20, 1962, in Beulah Township, NC
• Married: Patricia Ann Dean Smith on Dec. 17, 1982, in Wake County, NC

James Robert "Bobby" Renfrow Jr. was born April 17, 1943, and died April 1, 2022. He married Betty Gail Reaves on April 20, 1962, in Beulah Township, NC, and married Patricia Ann Dean Smith on Dec. 17, 1982, in Wake County, NC.
Bobby's children with Betty Gail Reaves Renfrow
Roberta Lynn Renfrow

Bobby Renfrow, the youngest of four children born to Robert and Effie Stancil Renfrow, entered the world on April 17, 1943, in Johnston County, North Carolina.

Bobby's life was marked by a passion for music and a diverse career path. His musical journey began early, at the age of eight, when he took piano lessons at school. That same year, his brother Viron recognized his burgeoning talent and gifted him his first electric guitar, a Harmony from Sears. Bobby was a self-taught musician with a remarkable ability to play string instruments by ear. As his skills progressed, his mother and Viron further encouraged his musical pursuits by purchasing him an electric Gibson guitar.

During his high school years at Glendale High School, Bobby was a well-known figure as a member of The Flames, a popular band comprised of musicians from Selma, Benson, and the Glendale community. The Flames regularly entertained at area sock hops and were even chosen to play for several senior proms. The band, which included members like Charlie Gray and Victor Radford, also participated in local contests.

After graduating from high school, Bobby married Betty Gail Reaves on April 20, 1962, in Beulah Township. Their union brought them a daughter, Roberta Lynn, born on January 7, 1969.

For six years, Bobby resided in Newport News, Virginia, where he worked in the shipyards. During this time, he enjoyed visits with his cousin Thelma Stancil Pipkin, who belonged to the Samuel Branch of the family. While in Virginia, Bobby also pursued business studies and secured a position as a typing clerk at Fort Monroe. His aptitude led to advancement into management, which required him to pass a Civil Service Exam.

A notable event in February 1980 saw Bobby purchase an airplane, a 1971 model. A postcard from his mother, Effie, around that time humorously noted that there was too much snow on the fifth of the month to land behind Emmette’s Store.

After his divorce from Betty Gail Reaves, he married Patricia Ann Dean Smith on Dec. 17, 1982, in Wake County.

Bobby's professional life was varied. He worked as a machinist for two years and contributed to the NASA Moon Project for four years. He also spent two years as a Tool and Die Maker in Selma before embarking on a nearly 30-year career at Cooper Tools, where he served as a tool machinist and later as a manufacturing engineer.

Courtesy Stancil Reunion Archive

His love for music remained a constant throughout his life. Starting at a young age, he frequently entertained at high school dances and participated in contests. For over 25 years, Bobby was a dedicated member of a Bluegrass band called Patchwork. The band toured extensively throughout North Carolina, with Bobby showcasing his talents on the mandolin and banjo. While he initially played a wide range of musical styles, Bluegrass became his preferred genre in later years. His passion for instruments extended beyond playing; Bobby even hand-built a mandolin, a testament to his skill and dedication. This meticulously crafted instrument, made with maple and spruce and featuring a hand-carved ebony board, was valued at $5,000. Bobby's instrument-making skills were self-taught through diligent reading and study.

Bobby is the father of Roberta Renfrow Kenworthy and the grandfather of Camden James Renfrow Harts, Paul Thomas Garland, and Dawson James Kenworthy. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Grace Renfrow Dettenmayer, Eva Gray Renfrow, and Ralph Viron Renfrow. Bobby Renfrow will be remembered for his musical talent, his diverse career, and his dedication to his family and passions.

Bobby died at 78 on April 1, 2022, at home in Raleigh, North Carolina.

— Renn Stancil Hinton