Barbara Fortune Musselwhite

Born November 14, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Robert Louis and Lois Lynn Fortune.

Bobbi was raised in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School where she made numerous lifelong friends. She was the apple of her father’s eye, and he was so proud that she went on to study at Duke University where she graduated in 3 and ½ years.

Bobbi met the love of her life during her first week at Duke and upon her graduation in December 1959, she married Marvin Duncan Musselwhite, Jr. She taught second grade in Durham while Marvin finished his degree and helped put him through Duke law school while teaching. After she and Marvin moved to Raleigh, she continued teaching and tutoring many students who loved running into her years later. When her children were in elementary school, she started Olympic Day at Aldert Root Elementary School. Olympic Day became an annual event that many looked forward to.

Dedicated to her physical fitness, Bobbi started the Wilson Lane jogging club in the 1970s when she and several neighborhood friends started jogging. Bobbi loved jogging and later transitioned to daily walking. There were many “Bobbi sightings” walking in her neighborhood and also at Crabtree Valley Mall where she loved gathering and walking.

Bobbi appreciated all beautiful things, and she epitomized elegance and grace. She had a knack for great style and a creative spirit. In midlife, she attended the New York School of Interior Design’s summer program, living in New York City with her daughter, Elizabeth. After graduating, she enjoyed helping many friends and others with decorating projects in their homes. Bobbi also enjoyed using her creative talents hunting for and refurbishing furniture and decorative pieces that she sold in her various antique booths in Raleigh.

Bobbi was a sweet spirit and kind person who loved her family. She was known as Gran to her five grandchildren. She and Grande enjoyed taking them on adventures during “Gran’s camp” when they were young. She also enjoyed teaching them valuable life lessons through her Advent messages every Advent season. As an only child, she especially enjoyed being a part of “Solo Sisters” a group of ladies in Raleigh that were also only children who gathered regularly.

A cradle Episcopalian whose grandfather was an Episcopal priest, she loved the Episcopal church. She served her church and volunteered at both St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh.

Bobbi and Marvin enjoyed travelling and spending time with friends. They also enjoyed many Duke football and basketball seasons.

Bobbi is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Musselwhite Wallace and husband Robert of Raleigh; her son, Robert Britt Musselwhite and wife Sharon of Morehead City, NC; and five grandchildren, Elizabeth Hamilton Wallace; Robert Britt Musselwhite, Jr., Rollins Wallace Bradley and husband Ben, Marvin Duncan Musselwhite II and fiancé Cara Parnes, and Katherine Scott Musselwhite.

Bobbi is predeceased by her husband Marvin Duncan Musselwhite, Jr.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care provided to Bobbi in her home by Beth, Nikki, Linda, Lynn, Patricia, Aminata, Mandy, Stella, Karen, Luz and Dee. Also Dr. Todd Helton and Transitions LifeCare.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Christ Episcopal Church. Visitation will follow in the Christ Church Commons. The family will have a private burial service at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that those who wish to, send memorials to: Christ Episcopal Church, 120 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27601 or to Duke University for the Musselwhite Family Endowment, a need-based scholarship for deserving Wake County, NC students with “Musselwhite Scholarship: 6185454” on memo line. Mail to: Alumni and Development Records, Duke University Box 90581 Durham, N.C. 27708-0581

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary’s Street is assisting the family.