Bobbie Cheek

Mr. Bobbie Reece Cheek, 90, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2022.  He was born October 23, 1932, in Forsyth County to the late Reece Sanford Cheek and Blanche Mabe Cheek.        Through the years Bobbie was always engaged in the communities in which he lived. He grew up in the old Hanes Town community where his parents worked for Hanes Knitwear, and he was a member of Hanes Baptist Church.  Bobbie also attended Hanes School grades 1-6. He later attended grades 7-12 at Clemmons School, where he excelled in athletics and academics. He played baseball, football, and basketball at Clemmons, and was on teams that won three North Carolina State baseball championships, and one North Carolina State 6-man football championship. While at Clemmons, Bobbie met his high school sweetheart, Patsy Parks.  After graduating from high school, Bobbie went to work as a plasterer until joining the U.S. Army in 1953 (with his Korean deployment being cancelled due to the armistice).  He then married Patsy and settled down with her in Clemmons, building his own home and starting a family there in 1955. They joined Clemmons Baptist Church and remained active members there for 40 years. Bobbie served on church committees, taught Sunday school, and served as a Deacon. Bobbie and Pat later moved their church membership to Calvary Baptist Church, and remained there for the rest of their lives. Bobbie attended RCA Electronic School, which led to his employment in the Winston-Salem Sears Service Department as a home appliance and TV repairman in 1956.  He later served in local/regional management positions there until he retired in 1993.

Bobbie remained very active in local civic and sports organizations. As a member of the Clemmons Civic Club, Bobbie served as its president, on its Board of Governors, as the Water Committee Chairman, and as Institutional Representative on the Boy Scout Troop 736 Board of Directors. He was also a charter member and president of the Clemmons Jaycees chapter, as well as a member of the Clemmons Community Council Planning Committee.  Bobbie was tirelessly engaged in the organizations which involved his children. He served as president of the Clemmons Elementary School PTA.  Bobbie also served in various leadership roles within the Southwest Forsyth Little League Baseball/Softball, Clemmons Cowboy Football, and Clemmons Cougar Basketball organizations. He was also involved with the Winston-Salem Ostomy Association for many years.  Bobbie served on the Pilot Mountain Preservation & Park Committee, whose efforts led to the acquisition of the mountain and its integration into the North Carolina State Park System.

One of Bobbie’s greatest loves was GOLF.  While serving in the U.S Army he taught himself how to play, and quickly became a “scratch” golfer. He joined the Hillcrest Golf Association and later served as its president and on its Board of Directors. Bobbie had 5 hole-in-ones over his lifetime, shot his age at 72, and claimed a life time low score of 64. He played in many local golf tournaments, including the Forsyth Invitational. Bobbie also competed with his son Mark in the National Father-Son Golf Tournament for several years, winning it once.

Bobbie prioritized care for his immediate and extended family, as well as friends, with love and sacrifice. He cherished his time with wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  After Patsy passed away in 2005, Bobbie never remarried. However, he reconnected with several of his classmates at the 2006 Clemmons High School Reunion, and established an inseparable 16 year friendship with Sue Crater.

In addition to Bobbie’s parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife, Patsy Parks Cheek; two brothers, Darrell Cheek and Rex Cheek; and sister, Clara Mae Cheek.  He is survived by three children: Greg Cheek (Lois), Mark Cheek (Penny), and Lori Cheek Chappell (Gene); six grandchildren: Andrew Cheek (Amy), Amy Cheek, Anna Cheek, Matt Womble (Shanda), Mandy Womble (Casey Snyder), and Will Chappell (Angie); two great-grandchildren, Alexander Snyder and Artemis Cheek; brother, Hugh Cheek (Madonna); and sister, Mildred Warner (Bob).  A small burial service was attended by the family at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons on December 13.  A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday January 28, 2023 at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem with Dr. Will Toburen officiating.  The doors will be open at 1:30, and the family will receive friends following the service in the vestibule of the church sanctuary.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 or the Jimmy V Foundation, P.O. Box 2624. Sarasota, FL 34230.  Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com.