Tributes

Barbara Jean "Bobbi" Gantt Whitfield, 82, of Charlotte, went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 15, 2026. Born September 22, 1943 in Charlotte, Bobbi was the middle child of Robert "Bob" Gantt and his wife, Alma Price Gantt. Bobbi had fond memories of growing up in the Elizabeth neighborhood with other young families. She was a 1961 graduate of Myers Park High School, a Mustangs majorette and a Class Beauty finalist. Graceful, modest and kind, Bobbi was a beloved instructor at Henderson School of Dancing and nanny to a special family. Bobbi was crowned Miss Charlotte 1963 and was runner-up in the Miss North Carolina competition. She attended Charlotte College, now the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and graduated from business school at King's College. Following business school, Bobbi worked for the Clerk of the City of Charlotte, where her warm smile drew the attention of Paul Whitfield, the new Assistant City Attorney. The two married in 1971 and celebrated the birth of their daughter Elizabeth Casey three years later. They had an active life. They enjoyed traveling, collecting, entertaining, political and civic engagement, and watching their children Greg and Elizabeth grow. Bobbi and Paul joined Carmel Country Club in 1972 and Carmel Presbyterian Church in 1981. Bobbi volunteered at Carmel Church, Girl Scouts of America and Charlotte Country Day School. They vacationed to England, Europe, Florida and California, as well as the North Carolina mountains and beaches of both Carolinas. To Oasis Shriners, she was Lady Bobbi: a gracious counterpart to her husband Paul as he served on the Divan and as Potentate of the Oasis Shrine Temple. Bobbi and Paul were married for fifty-five years. She loved to laugh; he loved to make her laugh. More precious than rubies was she to him. An easygoing and gentle woman, Bobbi enjoyed animals, children, birthday parties, Christmas, late night ice cream runs, one more sweet tea, drawing, painting, photography, sewing, patternmaking, music, dancing, worshipping, holding hands with her husband, singing with her daughter, cooking, gardening, interior design, tending the home, Tar Heel basketball, whodunits, long walks, long talks, sipping hot chocolate by the fire and lingering on the patio to watch the trees dance in the golden hour. Paul will forever remark on Bobbi's first experiment preparing standing rib, Yorkshire pudding and green beans amandine for his birthday that tasted just like the dishes served at their London hotel. She would leave paper hearts and notes with signature animal doodles. Elizabeth cherishes her mother singing to her and encouraging her to talk and read at a very young age. She wishes her mother would call and sing, "I just called to say I love you" one more time. Bobbi was an excellent listener, learning from people from all walks of life. She was a tenderhearted friend who gave sound advice and always kept a confidence. Bobbi left you better than she found you. Bobbi was predeceased by her parents, Bob and Alma Gantt of Charlotte and her beloved grandmother, Anna Harris Price. Bobbi is survived by her husband Paul L. Whitfield, daughter Elizabeth C. Whitfield of Charlotte, stepson M. Gregory "Greg" Whitfield and daughter-in-law Leigh Lowder Whitfield of Mooresville, grandsons Michael G. Whitfield, Jr., of Raleigh and Richard L. Whitfield of Chapel Hill, sister Sheila Kale of Charlotte, brother Greg Gantt and his wife Polly of Little River, SC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The Whitfield family is grateful to Deepu Thomas, M.D., Stephanie Pressley, R.N., Kelly Markiewitz of Wise Transitions, Morgan Barry of E3 Therapy Solutions, Novant Presbyterian NSICU and Palliative Medicine, and caregivers Mattie Moultry, Teresa Anderson, Shante Chester, Saliem Tesfazion, Alceka Hinson and Anna Porter. A Celebration of Bobbi's Life will be held August 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in Ligon Hall at Carmel Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. Tributes in Bobbi's memory may be offered to Shriners Children's Hospitals at donate.shrinerschildrens.org, or by mail c/o Oasis Shriners, 604 Doug Mayes Pl., Charlotte, NC 28262, or to Memory and Movement Charlotte at mmclt.org/donate, or Memory & Movement Charlotte, 411 Billingsley Rd., Ste. 103, Charlotte, NC 28211, a nonprofit medical practice offering care to patients with memory and movement disorders and their families. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the family. Condolences may be made to the family of Mrs. Bobbi Whitfield at www.cavin-cook.com.

Tributes

Bobbi J. Whitfield

September 22, 1943 - May 15, 2026