Charles Raymond ‘Skip’ Dobbs, 1930-2021

Charles Raymond “Skip” Dobbs was born Oct. 12, 1930, in Dundalk, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. His father was an airplane mechanic at the beginning of the Great Depression, and his family moved to San Antonio and Port Arthur, Texas, in Charles’ early childhood. In 1946 they moved to Port Gibson, Mississippi, to open a Western Auto franchise.

Charles graduated from Port Gibson High School in 1950 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. After training at Great Lakes, Michigan, he served on the aircraft carrier USS Monterrey, based at Pensacola, Florida, with service to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico for four years. In January 1954 he married Carolyn McFatter, his high school sweetheart. Upon completion of his naval service, they moved back to Port Gibson, where he worked with his father in the Western Auto family store until he bought it and built it into the most successful Western Auto store in Mississippi. He retired in 1996 after 50 years.

Throughout his life, the recurring themes were his family, his church and his community. He served for 61 years in the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts (an Eagle Scout, himself), and football booster club. He was a tireless volunteer in whatever services they needed. In the 1950s he coordinated the countywide distribution for the vaccination for polio. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson and a Deacon in the Port Gibson Baptist Church. He will be remembered as a kind and generous contributor to his community and church.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ava Dobbs, and is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children Steve (Susan) and Donna; his grandson, Nathaniel; and his brother, Bill Dobbs of Purvis.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, there will be a private graveside funeral for the immediate family at Winter Green Cemetery in Port Gibson.