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Barbara Jean "Bobbi" Gantt Whitfield, 82, of Charlotte, passed into eternal life 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. 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 in 1974. 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 the 1970s and Carmel Presbyterian Church in 1981. Bobbi volunteered at Carmel Church, Girl Scouts of America and Charlotte Country Day School. They vacationed in England, Europe, the North Carolina mountains and at Brunswick County beaches. To Oasis Shriners and all who knew her, she was Lady Bobbi. Clothed in strength and dignity, she was 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, and 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, late night ice cream runs, the magic of Christmas, drawing, painting, photography, sewing, patternmaking, live 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, lingering on the patio to watch the trees dance through the golden hour, and sipping hot chocolate by the fire in winter. 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 thoughtful notes, with signature animal doodles. She sang, "I just called to say I love you" to her daughter's voice mail. Bobbi was a devoted friend and a tenderhearted listener who always kept confidence. Bobbi was predeceased by her parents, Bob and Alma Gantt of Charlotte. 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 Althea Cunningham, M.D., Deepu Thomas, M.D., Stephanie Pressley, RN, Kelly Markiewitz of Wise Transitions, Presbyterian NSICU, and caregivers Mattie Moultry, Teresa Anderson, Shante Chester, Saliem Tesfazion, Alceka Hinson and Anna Porter. We will not forget how you cared for her, how you rejoiced over her with singing. None will forget Bobbi's smile and the kisses she blew in gratitude. A Celebration of Bobbi's Life will be held August 1, 2026 at 2 p.m. in Ligon Hall at Carmel Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or Memory and Movement Charlotte, a nonprofit medical clinic for memory and movement disorders. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Whitfield family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

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Barbara Jean Whitfield

September 22, 1943 - May 15, 2026