Bobbie Dean Yates Congleton

Bobbie Dean Yates Congleton passed away peacefully August 19th, 2021 at 91 years of age. Bobbie spent her childhood in Lexington, Kentucky where she was the youngest child of Bertha and Everett Yates. She attended the University of Kentucky where she was a cheerleader for the UK football and basketball teams and where she was also proud member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and an active participant with the Contemporary Dance Group. While at UK, she met the love of her life and lifelong companion, Lee Congleton. They were married September 1st, 1951 and spent the next 58 years together until his passing in 2009. Bobbie and Lee lived a happy and active life after moving to Knoxville in 1959 with their three young children. They were fortunate to move to the West Hills subdivision where they made many lifelong friends. Bobbie and her family were active members of First Christian Church until transferring to Sequoyah Presbyterian in 1990. Bobbie was warm, witty, and kind-hearted and was eager to help anyone who needed her. Bobbie, or Bubbles as she was known by many, brightened up any room she entered. She loved life and loved to laugh. She loved music and dancing and flowers. Bobbie also enjoyed entertaining and was well known for her dinner parties. She was always happiest with her family at the beach or the lake with her toes in the water. Bobbie was very active in many Knoxville organizations including the Akima Club, West Hills Garden Lovers, and Leadership Knoxville. She was an avid tennis player and enjoyed playing regularly at Knoxville Racquet Club and Cherokee Country Club. Bobbie was probably best known for her membership and participation on multiple boards including the Dogwood Arts Festival, the Knoxville Symphony, the Knoxville Opera, the Knoxville Zoo, Knoxville Museum of Art, the East Tennessee Historical Society and the East Tennessee Foundation. Bobbie is survived by her daughter Debbie Schwartz and husband John; daughter Mindy Congleton and her children Justin, Lydia, and Sophia Rubenstein; son Lee Congleton III, and his wife Jackie and their children Katie, Brewer, and Yates; brother-in-law Joe Congleton and his wife Posey; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. The family would like to give a very special thank you to those who helped care for Bobbie over the last few years including all of the staff at the Nursing Center at Little Creek and especially her home care givers, Janey, Susan and Mary. Thanks also to Linda and Larry Hitch for their love and friendship with our family for many years. A celebration of life will take place Sunday, September 5th, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be given to the Knoxville Zoo, East Tennessee Foundation or Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church as the donor wishes. Arrangements by Rose Funeral and Cremation – Mann. Online condolences may be made at rosefuneraltn.com.

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Bobbie Dean Yates Congleton

April 21, 1930 - August 19, 2021