Granny Bobbye, The Original Queen Bee

John and I found the family cemetery on Tuesday and got the call on Wednesday that Granny was fading.  Call it what you want, but John thinks we were being called by the family of Saints in heaven who were preparing us to lose Granny here on earth.  Uncle Jerry Joe called at 8:01 AM on Wednesday morning, and I knew immediately.  In fact, I didn't answer the phone because I knew.  I needed a minute to hear what I knew he was about to say..."Granny is likely in her final day."  So, we headed to Conway and got there as she was passing.  I, for one, was a little surprised that she didn't wait for me!!!  On our way to Conway, we checked in and got the report that she was sleeping and they were just staring at her.  The story I was told was that when Father John arrived and gave her the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, she opened one eye as if to say..."Finally" or "Thank You" or maybe just "Good-bye" and left this world.  Father John said he has anointed many

Publish Post

people and very few times has he witnessed the person literally pass away during the Rite.  That is a pretty perfect and grace filled death.  So much so that the staff stopped my aunt the following day to tell her how moved and changed they were because of witnessing the final Catholic Sacrament.  One lady in particular said she has been a part of many deaths at the nursing home, and there is often times singing and praying but nothing so special as what she saw with Father John and Granny Bobbye.  That was our Granny, a true witness to her Catholic Faith until her very last breath.

Below is her obituary and a link to a photo memorial (Photo memorial is at the bottom of the page after you click the link.).
http://www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/services.asp?page=odetail&id=23385&locid=14

Bobbye Kreulen

Roberta Frances Harrison Kreulen
December 25, 1917 - March 16, 2011 

 
Bobbye Kreulen (Roberta Frances Hudgens Harrison Kreulen) passed away peacefully of natural causes the morning of March 16, 2011 as a priest completed the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in Conway, Arkansas. Bobbye was the oldest of four children born to Calvert John & Corynne (Jenkins) Hudgens in Little Rock on Christmas Day, 1917. Bobbye was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Leon Harrison in 1951 and her second husband Lt. Col. Herman Piet Kreulen in 1995, as well as her daughter Roberta Harrison Jucas, step-son Mike Kreulen, her parents, brother Gerald Vaugine Hudgens and sister Juanita Hudgens Halsey.

Bobbye is survived by her children Francis Leon Harrison, II and wife Chartene of Hockley, TX; Gerald J. Harrison and wife Lib of Conway; son-in-law John Jucas and wife Suzanne of El Dorado; Lynn Kreulen of Yakima, WA; Piet Kreulen, Jr. and wife Deborah, formerly of Little Rock; and Patrick Kreulen and wife Teresa of Poplar Bluff, MO as well as her brother, Calvert John Hudgens, Jr. and wife Aggie of Olive Branch, MS.

Bobbye was a lifelong Catholic, growing up in the neighborhood surrounding Holy Souls Catholic Church in Hillcrest. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class from Mount St. Mary's where she was a member of the Belle's Basketball team. Bobbye graduated from Little Rock Junior College and then married her high school sweet heart, Francis "Tootie" Harrison. She was employed by the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock from 1951-1963, serving as the executive assistant to Monsignor John M. Bann and Bishop Albert L. Fletcher. After Tootie's death in 1951, she cared for her three young children with the help of her parents and siblings. Bobbye served one term on the Pulaski County quorum court in the 1950's. In 1963, Bobbye found her second chance at happiness when she met and married Lt. Col. Herman Piet Kreulen. They enjoyed thirty two years of marriage and loved traveling and spending weekends in Lake Hamilton at the "Bee Hive". She was a founding member of Christ the King Catholic Church where she was active with the Rosary Club, Prime Timers & Adoration. Bobbye and Piet volunteered at St. Vincent's Infirmary for many years together. After Piet's death, Bobbye continued to volunteer until 2004 when her eyesight made it difficult for her to travel.

Bobbye loved to dance, grow flowers, play bridge, say her rosary, and sip on a good highball. She adored her family and was fiercely proud of her Arkansas heritage, dating back to the 1700s when Captain Don Joseph Valliere first commanded the Arkansas post. Her grandchildren gave her immense pleasure and she treasured many moments with them all. She leaves behind her memories to 17 grandchildren and their respective spouses as well as 26 great grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Pam Felcman and husband David of Katy, TX; Frank Harrison and wife Paige of Madison, MS; Donald Harrison and wife Karen of The Woodlands, TX; Jennifer Harrison of Austin, TX; Heather Mainord and husband Bill of Conway, AR; Joe Harrison and wife Wendy of Conway, AR; Michael Harrison and wife Heather of Conway, AR; Kerry Baldwin and husband Clay of Cabot, AR; Tracy Eddy and husband John of Little Rock, AR; Piet Kreulen and wife Angie, of Tulsa, OK; Cody Kreulen and fiance Heather of Little Rock; Kelly Stadler and husband Randy of Yakima, WA; Ben Jackman and wife Tina of Yakima, WA; Kyle Kreulen and wife Heather of Benton, AR; Jennifer Barrier of Collierville, TN; Jake Kreulen of Little Rock; and Ben Kreulen and wife Bobbi of Suisun City, CA.

Visitation and Vigil Service with Rosary will be held Friday, March 18th at 6 o'clock in the evening at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, AR. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 19th at 10 o'clock in the morning at St. Joseph's Catholic Church located at 1115 College Avenue in Conway. Father John Marconi, Pastor of St. Joseph's will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock. The Famly will be at Christ the King Family Life Center following the burial service. Donations may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 North Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212, in memory of Bobbye Kreulen.

A special thank you to all of the caregivers at Heritage Living Center in Conway for their devotion and care to our beloved Mom, Gran, and Sister.