Mr. Don Edward Mobley

Mr. Don Edward Mobley, 79, formerly of Winnsboro, SC, passed away on August 15, 2020 at his residence in Nashville, TN.

Don was born on August 23, 1940 to Mr. Will J. and Mrs. Helen Boyles Mobley in Fairfield County, SC.  He was the eighth of ten children in a close-knit family.

He attended the local schools and graduated cum laude in the Class of 1958 from Fairfield High School, Winnsboro, SC.  He went on to Tennessee State University in Nashville where he graduated with a B.S. degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Business Education.

After graduating from Tennessee State he began his professional career with his first teaching job at Oglethorpe Consolidated School in Lexington, GA.  From 1962 to 1970 he was a business education teacher and assistant principal.  He left the state of Georgia and moved to Tennessee where he taught at Jo Byrns High School from August 1970 until his retirement in 2002.  For thirteen years he was also a night school teacher and principal at Watkins Institute High School.

During his 40 years as an educator, he was a member of the National Education Association, the Tennessee Education Association, and the Roberson County Education Association.

Don received numerous awards, certificates, and special recognitions during his career.  He was named Jo Byrns High School “Teacher of the Year 2001”.  The 2002 school year book dedicated a special page to him with pictures and comments from co-workers and students.  He was lauded as “a pillar of the school for 30 years.”

In addition to being an educator, Don was devoted to his family.  He made the six-hour drive from Nashville to Winnsboro several times each year.  He rarely missed holidays and family gatherings, spending every Thanksgiving and Christmas with family somewhere.  He frequently came home to Winnsboro “just because”.  When he was not here with family, he kept in contact by phone.  He spoke with various family members daily and/or weekly.  Don was noted for sending birthday cards to all of his siblings, nieces, and nephews. 

During the 50 years Don made his home in Nashville, he enjoyed a multitude of friendships and social relationships.  He was a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian church where he served faithfully as a deacon.

Don was known as a "people-person" who was adventurous and full of fun. He read the local South Carolina newspapers online in order to keep up with activities and news in his hometown and state. He was always ready to go someplace new and try something different.  One of his favorite trips was a visit home each summer in time for the Chitlin’ Strut Street Festival in Salley, SC.  Prior to his retirement he chaperoned many Senior Class trips to places such as the Bahamas Islands, New Orleans, LA, and the NASA Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fl.  

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Willie, Jr., John, and Thomas Mobley; his sisters Florence Glenn, Sara Barnes, and Ophelia Davis.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna M. Foreman (Rufus) of Atlanta, Ga; grandson Rufus Foreman (Lyric) and his daughter Taryn of Atlanta, GA; and granddaughter Mya Foreman of Nashville, TN; two brothers, George D. Mobley of Winnsboro and Harold R. Mobley of Virginia Beach, VA; one sister Helen Cooks (Rudolph) of Indian Head, MD.

Don did not limit his love and affection to relatives only.  Don also was a father figure to Dana Elliott, his daughter’s best friend of over 30 years and an honorary member of the Mobley family.  He was also “Papa” to Dana’s children, Evan and Amber.  He also remained close to the Collins, his extended family in Oglethorpe County, GA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the school where Don worked as shown below:

Jo Byrns High School

7025 Hwy 41 North

Cedar Hill, TN  37032

615-696-2251

Please continue to keep the Mobley Family in your thoughts and prayers.

Funeral service will be 2 pm Saturday August 22, 2020 @ Russell-McCutchen Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be Friday August 21, 2020 from 3 pm to 7 pm @ Russell-McCutchen Funeral Home, 324 S. Vanderhorst St. Winnsboro SC 29180.

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