"Little Kay Wright was then presented, the day being her fourth birthday. As Mr. Bobbitt congratulated and held the hand of the

The Bobbitt Family In America

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"Little Kay Wright was then presented, the day being her fourth birthday. As Mr. Bobbitt congratulated and held the hand of the little tot, the congregation sang "Happy Birthday" to the little girl of four and to Cowens kindly First Citizen who was 95." At 95 Uncle Bud was healthy, strong, full of good humor, and thoroughly enjoyed the celebration the church offered in his honor.

Jim Comstock, editor of the West Virginia Hillbilly, wrote in one of his books, "Webster's Old Man, L. H. Bobbitt, the only centenarian in Webster County, celebrated his 100th birthday in a big way. A resident of Cowen, Bobbitt's friends put on a big parade and invited Senator Jennings Randolph and other notables to speak. Hans McCourt of Webster Springs, then serving in the State Senate, was Master of Ceremonies. Bobbitt was known as "Uncle Bud" to his friends and neighbors in the Free State of Webster."

April 13, 1963, the program was to begin at 2:00 PM with a parade that would form near the Pure Oil bulk plant and end in the athletic field of Cowen High School. The parade included bands from Cowen and Webster Springs high schools, fire trucks, and firemen from both communities, members of the Webster Riding Club, Webster County Centennial Queen, members of the Cowen Lions Club and a number of appropriate floats.

Speakers included United States Senator Jennings Randolph, Richard Kyle representing Governor W. W. Barron, and William G. Farmar, Executive Secretary, West Virginia Baptist Convention, Senator Hans McCourt was the Master of ceremonies.

The principal address was given by Dr. John Hollister, then Chaplain of Morris Harvey College and a nephew of Lee Hill Bobbitt. At the close of the ceremonies, Uncle Bud was given an Honorary Diploma from Cowen High School, the very same school which Mr. Bobbitt was instrumental in organizing. Dr. J. N. Kurish, member of the board of education made the presentation.

There were numerous letters from relatives and friends, and from the rich and politically powerful. President John F. Kennedy, Sam Rayburn, Robert Lee Bobbitt, Governors of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and other states. All of these letters acted as a witness to the useful and inspirational life that Lee Hill Bobbitt shared with his fellowman.

Everyone who knew him for any length of time had a story that was unusual and worth remembering. The stories and the many kinds of stories would in their own way fill a book of interesting reading. He was perhaps best known both subjectively and objectively by his daughter Mary Bobbitt, who had devoted much of her life and energy to his care.

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