Eva Mae Hobbs

On Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, Eva Mae Hobbs passed from this life in Danville, Illinois. She died peacefully, at home after battling a long illness. Mrs. Hobbs was 92 years old. She was born the 3rd child on May 10th, 1930 to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell David and Mary Julia (Johnson) Hayes in Malone, Florida. She attended Jackson County Schools and graduated from high school in Marianna, Florida. Mrs. Hobbs accepted Christ and was baptized at a young age, and enjoyed alternating services between the Methodist church her father attended and the Baptist church where her mother attended in Malone.
 In 1948, she and Needom Henry Hobbs were joined in Holy Matrimony in Donaldson, Georgia and began their lives as a military couple as he was serving in the United States Air Force. They started their family in Florida and would eventually travel to and live in many locations. In 1966, her family would move to a station at Chanute AFB and in 1968, permanently settle in Danville where they would take their place in the community and surrounding areas.
 Mrs. Hobbs worked dutifully at St Paul Missionary Baptist Church where her husband formerly pastored. She became well known for her yearly registration drives for a community-wide Vacation Bible School and weekly Youth Bible Study.
Mrs. Hobbs cared for many and engaged in activities of food and clothing drives for individuals and families in need. She spent many days looking for ways to help others and understood the blessings in doing so. Mrs. Hobbs volunteered at Cannon School helping children learn to read  when she had children enrolled there. She always believed in giving of herself. She dedicated her life to rearing her five children, as well as assisting other youth she came to know and treasure in her community. She loved all children and always tried to guide them by example to become strong adults. Her hobbies included her love of reading, sewing, bingo, politics, and giving old school advice. She was a straight forward communicator and often firmly said what she meant and could also turn just as quickly and speak sweetly. Mrs. Hobbs also loved entertaining friends in her home, making everyone feel welcome. She was proud of her cooking skills, especially her famous fried chicken and her holiday cakes. She did it with love for all those she would feed. 
After becoming a member of the Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in 1980, Mrs. Hobbs continued her involvement with church life and was a member of the Lily of the Valley Missionary Society. She found joy being able to attend church service for the worship and fellowship. Mrs. Hobbs was faithful until her illness kept her from attending. Her heart always remained with her church family.
  She is survived by her son Idwal ‘Ike’ Hobbs of NYC; daughters: Ingue Hobbs-Forrest, IL and Allace Hobbs of AZ. Seven Grandchildren, Kevin T Hobbs Sr. of Illinois, Danielle (Quanli) Redick of Missouri, Jesse (Pedro) Guzman of Alaska, Rochelle Powell of the UK, Avery Webster-Hobbs of NY, Langston Hobbs and Mary Hobbs-Smith; seven Great grandchildren: Kevin Hobbs,Jr, Kyanna and Kingston Hobbs (IL); Aniya Redick(MO), Maggie and Aurelius Guzman(AK) and Zalaia Nelson (UK) and Sister in Laws; Blanche Hayes (NC) and Elaine Hobbs Smith(FL) and a host of beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Eva Hobbs was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Rev. Needom H Hobbs, three sons Needom H Hobbs Jr., Levernnen Hobbs, LeRoy B. Hobbs; Siblings, Buddy Hayes, David Lee Hayes, Mitchell Hayes, Alice Mae Jackson, and Lillie M Hair; Mother-in-law, Juanita Hobbs-Payne; Sister-in-Laws, Willie B. Hayes, Sisters: Chyneda Hobbs Kelly, and Mary Jo Hobbs. Special Thanks to Mitchell D Hayes,II, Ella G Wilson, Rutha McWhite; Lillie and Michaela Johnson; Glenda Westbrooks of Fl and Mrs Carolyn Cox (IL) and Karen Webster (AK)

A Graveside Service will commence at 1:00 pm January 3, 2023 at Danville National Cemetery.

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