Bobbye Weaver made her final exit from the stage of this life on September 29, 2022 to join her beloved husband, Emmett. Bobbye was born to Lillie Kate Bramlett Williamson and Robert Williamson on March 12, 1931, in Cropwell, Alabama. Her life was long and full of adventure. At 8 months old she was walking and talking and never stopped until her final day. At 18 months old she was imitating advertising jingles she heard. She sang her first solo at 3 years old, standing on a church pew and also won a silver “loving cup” in the Sears Roebuck National Baby Contest. By 5, she was taking piano lessons. By 10, she was enrolled in Dorsey Whittington’s Conservatory, which later became a part of Birmingham Southern College. At 17, she gave her senior piano recital before a full house at Pell City High School, where she later graduated as valedictorian and voted Most Likely to Succeed and Most Extraordinary. Bobbye and three other friends then traveled around Alabama leading youth services initiated by Billy Graham’s “Youth for Christ” movement.
Bobbye entered the University of Alabama in 1949 to pursue a degree in voice and piano, but Emmett Weaver changed those plans. He was on his first job after earning a degree in journalism from Alabama. As editor of Pell City’s weekly newspaper, he collected news of young people who were home from colleges. When he saw Bobbye in downtown Pell City, she winked at him (or so he thought. It was really a tic!). He asked her out for a Coke, and the rest is history. They were married in June, 1950, and returned to the University (Emmett for an advanced degree) until the Korean War broke out. Emmett’s reserve unit was deployed to Camp Lejeune, NC, where he served as a medic. Bobbye followed him and began modeling in nearby towns and writing feature stories for the Onslow County weekly newspaper.
From Camp Lejeune, Emmett was sent to the Naval and Marine Hospital in St. Albans, NY, near the Big Apple. While in New York, Bobbye and Emmett took in as many Broadway musicals as they could and met many stars like Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, and dozens more. Many of these stars encouraged Bobbye to pursue theatre, and 40 years later she used their voices and mannerisms to write 2 shows, including her One-Woman Show (“Four in One) that toured the state and featured the lives of Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Sophie Tucker, and Marlene Dietrich.
After Emmett completed his tour of duty, they returned to Alabama. He accepted the position of Entertainment Writer and Editor of the “Weekender” for the Birmingham Post-Herald (now closed) which he held until his retirement. Bobbye meanwhile enrolled at Birmingham Southern College, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in 1956. She joined the Town and Gown Theatre (now the Virginia Samford Theatre) and soon began earning lead comic character roles in operettas and musicals, such as Naughty Marietta, Show Boat, Hello, Dolly, and South Pacific.
When Town & Gown director James Hatcher, Birmingham mayor David Vann, and Emmett Weaver formed a professional summer theatre (“Summerfest”) local pros performed with well-known stars, and Bobbye was a natural. She played roles opposite Edie Adams in Hello, Dolly,
Joe Namath in Damn Yankees, and Phil Crosby (Bing Crosby’s son). In September, 2018, (after Emmett’s death in 2014) the Virginia Samford Theatre honored Bobbye and Emmett on their Legacy Wall: Emmett for his contribution as a reviewer and Bobbye for her performances in Hello, Dolly at the Theatre and at “Summerfest.”
Bobbye made numerous guest appearances in other theatre groups in Birmingham: Jewish Community Center Players as Mamita in Gigi, her alma mater Birmingham Southern as Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, Vestavia Dinner Theatre with the New York Touring Company production of Arsenic and Old Lace, Yenta in Fiddler on the Roof, and Mother Superior in Nunsense.
In 1961, Alabama Public Television was formed. In 1961, Bobbye was selected to begin a local show geared to junior and senior high school students. She created “I Hear Music, “in which music students recommended by their teachers were offered the opportunity to perform on television. A special award was created for Bobbye and her show.
In 1968, Bobbye was elected to the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Civic Chorus (later Birmingham Symphony Chorus). She sang in the chorus, was their publicity director, and served on the Board for 14 years. She also sang in the Birmingham Civic Opera, with featured roles in Madame Butterfly and Carmen. She also sang in a variety of religious settings: at Southside Baptist Church, Episcopal Church of the Advent, Highland Methodist Church, and High Holy Day choir at Temple Emanuel, where she taught music for 22 years.
One of her most enjoyable jobs was being a chaperone, publicity director, newspaper reporter and radio broadcaster for the sponsors of young women entering the Miss Universe, Miss International, Maid of Cotton, and Miss Lake Logan Martin beauty contests. Bobbye traveled the country with these contestants, calling in her stories to Emmett: he typed as she dictated. She even designed some contestants’ costumes, such as a Sputnik spacesuit representing Huntsville’s world-famous Redstone Arsenal. This costume gained national press coverage.
Along with her thriving theatre and musical career, she followed Emmett to California to attend movie premieres and television previews. This is how she met Lawrence Welk. Emmett and Bobbye were having dinner with Mr. Welk, having thoroughly enjoyed the Welk band performance. Lawrence asked her, “Bobbye, do you play drums? I need a girl drummer.” She laughed and said, “No, but I’m sure I can learn!” Welk said, “When I come to Birmingham next year, I’ll have you play the Dixieland Jazz set with me.” By January, at the age of 40, Bobbye auditioned and was hired by Welk as the only female full set drummer in Birmingham. With Dot Brewer, Bobbye formed a duo that performed at the Parliament House for 3 years and later at The Club. She did take time off from her busy schedule when Welk asked her to play with him at the Birmingham Civic Center. He offered Bobbye a 3-month training program and 1 year on the road with his band, but, as she told him, “I chose to be a big fish in a small pond.” This appearance with Welk started her 10-year career teaching drums. She wrote a book for young drummers, Through the Back Door. She also played drums with Dickie Bell at the Downtown Club.
Not only did Bobbye excel in her musical and theatre ventures, but she was also active in community projects in Birmingham. She was an officer in the Birmingham Ballet’s Women’s Committee, helping form the Poinsettia Ball, where young debutantes are presented by their fathers at Christmas. She was on the Fine Arts Committee of Birmingham Southern, a member of the Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary, a member of the Samford Legacy League, officer of Shades Valley Music Club, and an officer of “The Literary Club.” Bobbye lived life with humor and gusto. She and Emmett were perfect complements, and Bobbye was grateful for the 64 fun-filled years they had together. As one newspaper article quoted Bobbye, “When I shuffle off, I’ll go fighting, but I can’t deny that I’ve had a wonderful life.”
Bobbye was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett Weaver. Survivors include: cousins Beth Williamson Geno (Roy), Macon Williamson Blyth (Michael), Horace Perry Williamson (Kathy), Lynn Pearman (Gary). Greg Champion (Laura), and Belinda Champion Murphy (David). Heartfelt thanks to Maria Matsumoto, Victor Lee, and Mandy Tamber, who extended such loving care and assistance to Bobbye in her final years.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 4, at 2:00 pm at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church (visitation begins at 1:00), with interment following at Valley Hill Cemetery in Pell City. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bobbye’s honor to the charity of your choice or to Alabama Public Television, the Alabama Humane Society, or the “We Care” group at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Weaver family.
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