Dr. Roberta (Bobbie) Margarite Hair-Grainger passed into the next phase of existence
surrounded by her loving family on March 21, 2025. Her dedicated husband
John rarely left her side after her recent cancer diagnosis and subsequent struggles.
She is survived by her children Christopher and Mamie, their spouses Susan and Paul,
stepson Rob, foster-daughter Leah, and her grandchildren: Killashandra, Alexis, Tyson
and his wife Diana, Kaylee, Nyna, Bryce, and Abene. Additionally, she is survived by
her brother Billy and sisters Paula, Timala, and Jennifer with whom she remained in
frequent contact. She was preceded in death by her parents, William C. and
Marge(Verhines) Hair.
Born in 1949, Bobbie was raised in the close-knit farming community of Wright,
Louisiana. After graduating from Gueydan High School in 1967, she traveled to Denton,
Texas to attend Texas Woman’s University where she received her Bachelors, Masters,
and Ph.D. in Fashion Design. Returning to Gueydan in 1982, she became the local
librarian until 1990. Her subsequent journeys led her to Williamsburg, Virginia where
she met her husband, John. The home they made in Newport News provided their
blended family with loving support through good times and bad. She worked and
ultimately retired from Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation in 2014. Along with fond
memories, Bobbie will be remembered though her creativity exhibited by the clothing,
quilts, and works of art that she created for family and friends. Her untimely passing will
be felt deeply by many.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer
Society or Arbor Society.