On January 22, 2015, Mrs. Roberta Jean (Bobby) Torrence, age 80, passed away peacefully at her home in Franklin, TN, surrounded by family and dear friends.
Bobby was born in Sheffield, IL, the daughter of Robert and Ruth Thomas. She grew up and lived most of her life in Aurora, IL. It was in Aurora that she met and married Richard (Dick) Torrence and gave birth to her only child.
A devoted wife and mother, Bobby also enjoyed a flourishing career. Beginning as a switchboard operator and steadily working her way up the ranks, she became Second Level Manager of Real Estate Operations for Illinois Bell (now AT&T) during a time when few women held corporate management positions. Bobby’s territory covered all of downtown Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. She was well loved by her co-workers and many of them kept in touch with her until her passing. During her working years, she was also an active member of her employer’s charitable organization, the Telephone Pioneers of America.
After over 34 years of service, Bobby retired from Illinois Bell in 1989 and moved with her husband to Bowling Green, KY. As she always did, she befriended many and ultimately served as President of the Bowling Green chapter of Altrusa International, a non-profit, community service organization consisting of current and former business women.
Bobby lost her beloved husband of 36 years in 2001. She moved from Bowling Green and spent the next chapter of her life in both South Carolina and Tennessee, winning friends and finding people to serve wherever she happened to be.
In 2013, Bobby moved into a beautiful apartment within Maristone Assisted Living, near her daughter in Franklin, TN. It was during these last two years of her life that Bobby found her final community of people to befriend and serve. She dearly loved her fellow residents and her caregivers. She made genuine friendships and kept everyone laughing. Vibrant and joyful to the end, “Miss Bobby” will be sorely missed.
Bobby is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lee and Steve Brewster of Franklin, TN; her two grandsons, Arin Brewster and Evan Brewster of Franklin, TN; and her sister, Marianne VanWagoner, of Inman, SC.
According to her wishes, a memorial service for close friends and family will be held at Maristone of Franklin on Saturday, February 7th at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Bobby’s generous spirit, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in her name. Two of her favorites were St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Cancer Society.
NASHVILLE FUNERAL AND CREMATION 615-256-1605
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