Bobbie was born February 17, 1935 in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Robert and Betty (Elgin) Norton. The family moved to Northeast Kansas City when she was a young child, where the family lived on Peery Avenue. Bobbie enjoyed her childhood with many neighborhood, school and church friends with whom she remained close all her life. Her first job at 14 was in the ticket booth at the Ritz Theater at 12th and Indiana. During this time, she was also an active member at Bales Baptist Church and frequently spoke with fondness of her days in her church youth group as well as at Youth for Christ.
Bobbie loved the Lord with all her heart. The legacy she leaves is one of enduring faith and love for her family.
Bobbie graduated from Northeast High School (class of 1952), where she played snare drum on the drumline of the high school band. After graduation, she attended secretarial school and became a whiz at shorthand and typing which served her well in her career as an Executive Secretary. Before she later retired to become a mother, she worked downtown at the Kansas City Power & Light building on the 21st floor, where she often commented that she could feel the building sway.
When Bobbie was 16 years old, she met her future husband, Kenny Homan, on a blind date shortly before he left for Germany to serve in the army for 3 years. They corresponded the entire time he was gone and were married after his return on February 26, 1955 at Bales Baptist Church. Bobbie and Kenny began their married life with a 2 week honeymoon in Florida, and continued to love traveling throughout their 55 years of marriage. Every July the family would travel out West. Some of their favorite destinations were the Rocky Mountains, Wyoming, California, Arizona and Nevada. In later years, they also enjoyed fishing trips to Canada, and cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.
During these years, Bobbie also kept busy with many activities, including Boy Scouts Den Mom, Brownie leader, 5th/6th Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher and the quarterly curriculum facilitator at Blue Ridge Baptist Church. In addition, she served for many years as a room mom, school librarian assistant, seamstress for the Independence Children’s Chorus and car pool mom for as many kids as she could fit in her car.
When Bobbie was home, her favorite place to be was outside. Her ‘green thumb’ was reflected in her lovely flower gardens, trellises and hanging baskets. She also loved being in her sewing room where she produced many beautiful creations.
Bobbie’s greatest joy in life was her family. Her favorite moments were the times spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in activities such as pontooning on the lake in the summer, Christmas dinner with heaps of presents to be opened and grand egg hunts at Easter.
In the last 14 years of her life, Bobbie lived at John Knox Village. She was well known for the beautiful pink mandevilla she cultivated on her balcony. She also loved performing with the Gospel Aires, participating in yoga classes, and playing cards and Bingo. In addition, she enjoyed putting puzzles together with her neighbors and organizing social events and holiday parties for friends and neighbors in her building.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Homan and her son, Kenneth Homan, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Mark) Ceperley, and her beloved grandchildren: Amy (Matt) Mangels, Emily (Mike) McDowell, Justin (Aryn) Homan, Devin (Anna) Ceperley, Derek (Jess) Ceperley, Drake (Rebecca) Ceperley and 17 great grandchildren whom she was so proud of and loved very much.
Services will be held at Newcomer's Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133. Visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Funeral will begin at 11:00 am with a graveside to follow.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18