Dena Hobby

Obituary

Mrs. Dena Carol Martin Hobby, age 54, passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at her residence in Calhoun, Georgia. This is the story of her wonderful life!
Chapter I: The Beginning
Dena was born in Tifton, Georgia, on December 15, 1964, and was the daughter of the late Jimmy Martin and Vivian Tomberlin Martin. She was the second of two children, and she attended Irwin County Elementary and Middle Schools. She graduated from Irwin County High School in 1982 and went on to enroll in the United States Air Force, where she proudly served for four years.
Chapter II: A Family for Dena
Dena married the love of her life, Mr. W. B. Hobby, on May 1, 1987, and from this union was born their beloved April Dawn Hobby, on November 11, 1989. Living in Dover, DE, a 12 hour drive from her Georgia home, Dena and W.B, decided to pack up little April and return to her roots to be surrounded by family. Ultimately, the family of three arrived in Warner Robins, GA, because Dena wanted April to grow up in an Air Force town. To ensure that April would know the best of both sides of her family, the couple decided to make Calhoun, GA, their home, which was a good split between South Georgia and W.B.s home town of Knoxville, TN. They would live out their lives here, where they amassed a wealth of friends, co-workers, and church members, who became family.
Chapter III: Years of Service
Dena was employed by the Gordon County Board of Education, where she faithfully served for 22 years. She began her tenure at Fairmount Elementary School for 1 year, eventually transferring to Gordon Central High School. She first worked in the media center, and eventually transferred to counseling secretary. She found her niche as the front office secretary, and the rest was history. Dena was the first face the public encountered, and she always greeted the community with a smile. In addition, she served on the Sunshine Committee and devoted her extra time to working the gates at various sporting events, and even spent time as an assistant coach for the VBB cheerleaders.
Dena was also a faithful member of New Town Baptist Church for 23 years. Her pride and joy was to work with the Youth Ministry with her favorite partner, Dillon McFry. She immensely enjoyed her time served as a Deacons wife, and she loved registering children for Vacation Bible School.
Chapter IV: The Final Chapter
Dena was married to W. B. for 26 years, who proceeded her in death in 2013. She leaves to cherish her memory daughter April Dawn Hobby Reyes (Alfredo); her mother, Vivian Hancock (J. B. ); her sister, Ginger Martin Wynn; close cousins, Mark Sutton (Sonya), Debra Martin (Mike), Teresa Sutton (deceased), and step-brother, Billy Hancock (Amy); mother-in-law, Clara Hair; and brother-in-law, Walter Hobby (Susie); one niece, Traci Wynn Jenkins (Devin); one nephew, Dustin Wynn (Hannah); several grand nieces and nephews; devoted friends, Barbara Hall, Joey Marycz, Pam York, and Sabrina Williams. She also considered Aprils students to be her "grandchildren,' who she cherished spending time with.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 24th at 4:00 PM from New Town Baptist Church, with Rev. Walter Hare officiating. Blake Hamby, Jeff Shattuck,Tom Dooley, and Barbara Hall will offer reflections and words of comfort. Music will be arranged by the Gordon Central Chorale, Dillon McFry, Randa Jordan & The Jordan Family Band, New Town Trio, and Heather Moss & The Jordan Family Band. Burial will follow in Fain Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Adrian Bray, Shane Causby, Steve Jones, Joey Marycz, Bill McNair, Brad Price, Mark Sutton, Justin Timms, Ed Williams, and Dustin Wynn. Honorary pallbearers are Barbara Hall, Jan Hilley, Kathy Ray, Donna Rogers, Robin Williams, Sabrina Williams, Pam York, and The Gordon Central Family.
The Hobby family will receive friends at New Town Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 23rd, from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the We Belong Project, c/o The Coulter Hampton Foundation, P.O. Box 1334, Calhoun, GA 30703, or coulterhampon.org.
Condolences may be left at www.maxbrannonandsons.com. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home of Calhoun.








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