Hershel Leon Mobbs of Lawrenceburg, TN, recently of Florence, AL, died in Lawrenceburg on Monday, February 18, 2013, of complications from a stroke. He was 92.
A lifelong resident of North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, Mr. Mobbs was born in Marshall County, AL on July 12, 1920, to the late J. Monroe Mobbs and Bessie Hipp Mobbs. He later moved to Lawrence County, TN where he met his future wife, Doris Davis. They married in 1943. He enlisted in the United States Navy that same year.
During World War II, Mr. Mobbs served convoy duty in the Atlantic on U.S.S. Lee Fox (DE-65), and escort rescue duty on U.S.S. PCE(R)-852 in the major naval engagements of the Pacific Island campaigns including the battles of Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. His decorations include the Navy Unit Commendation for the 852’s repeated combat rescues under enemy fire and kamikaze attack, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Two Stars.
After the war, Mr. Mobbs returned to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. He soon moved with his wife and infant son to Florence, Alabama, where he lived the next 61 years. Throughout that time he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Florence, Alabama, where he served as a deacon for many years. He worked in the insurance and automobile industries, retiring from Ford Motor Co. after more than 20 years at its former Sheffield, AL plant.
Mr. Mobbs was an avid gardener, a skilled woodworker, a beekeeper, and an accomplished candy chef. He was known for his home-made peanut brittle and the fine honey from his bees. In retirement, he donated many hand-crafted bird houses to public parks in Florence and the North Alabama region. As time passed, he often said he had out-lived so many friends that he would just have to make new ones. He did exactly that until his final days, leaving behind friends of every age and generation.
Mr. Mobbs is survived by his wife of 70 years, Doris Davis Mobbs of Lawrenceburg; his son Michael Mobbs of Washington, DC; seven siblings: Lorene Mattox of Lawrenceburg, TN, Naoma Woodcock of Atkinson, NC, Vernon Mobbs of Ethridge, TN, Wayne Mobbs of Murfreesboro, TN, Ruth McDonald of Lewisburg, TN, Neal Mobbs of McEwen, TN, and Beamon Mobbs of Ethridge, TN; six grandchildren: Captain (USA) Michael Mobbs, Jr. of Hope Mills, NC, Clifton Mobbs of Annapolis, MD, Ellene Mobbs of Cleveland, OH, and Solana, Estrella and Victor Mobbs of Washington, DC; a great-grandchild, Mairin Mobbs of Hope Mills, NC; and many beloved nieces, nephews, brothers-and sisters-in-law, who were with him to the end.
Visitation will be on Friday, February 22, 2013 from 12 noon to 2 pm at Neal Funeral Home, 231 North Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, followed by services at 2 pm in the same location, Rev. Kevin Johnson and Rev. Jeff Vanlandingham officiating. Interment will be at Lawrence County Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Mr. Mobbs to the First Baptist Church of Florence, AL, the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceburg, TN, the American Cancer Society, or any veterans charity.
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