Dr. Tom Bibey Passes

Dr. Tom Bibey (Bobby Jones) passed away Sunday after struggling with cancer. Dr. Tom Bibey was his nom de plume or Pen Name. He loved to write as much as he love to play bluegrass but he loved to write about bluegrass more than anything.

He was the author of “ The Mandolin Case” the first bluegrass murder mystery, and a mandolin player himself. He was also a practicing medical doctor.   His “Mandolin Case” murder mystery combined all three of his occupational loves.  His last blog post on Dr. Tom Bibey, Stories of the Bluegrass Road (http://drtombibey.wordpress.com/) was on June 30th .

Dr. Robert "Bobby" Spurgeon Jones Jr. was born in Durham (NC) on June 13, 1952, and died on August 26, 2012.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Joseph Henry Jones and Euphemia Livingston Watson, and Yates Sperling and Essie Idella Spangler.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Dr. Martha McBrayer Jones, two children Warrant Officer Robert Matthew Jones and wife Leighia Angel Jones and grandson Robert Matthew Jones, Jr. of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Bonnie Marie Jones of Durham. He is also survived by his parents, Dr. Robert S. Jones, Sr. and Mabel Sperling Jones, two brothers Joseph Henry Jones and wife Julie Bradshaw Jones of Barnwell, South Carolina and Dr. Stephen Watson Jones and wife Dr. Kelly Eubanks Jones of Shelby, one brother-in-law Casey McBrayer of Rutherfordton, as well as three nieces and a nephew: Juliet and William Jones of Barnwell, South Carolina and Natalie and Caroline Jones of Shelby.

Bobby moved to Shelby at age six and was baptized at First Baptist Church. He attended Shelby High School and graduated in 1971. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 1974 with a major in Biology. In 1975, he married Martha McBrayer. Bobby was a member of the first four-year class of East Carolina School of Medicine, now the Brody School of Medicine, graduating in 1981.
He completed his residency in Family Medicine at University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1984. Dr. Bobby was board certified in Family Practice after completing his residency program and passing the AAFP board certification testing. Subsequently, Dr. Bobby did additional training and certification in geriatric medicine. He was an active member of the North Carolina Medical Society, North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Dr. Bobby returned to Shelby in 1984 joining his father at Jones Family Practice. In 1988, he opened Cleveland Family Practice.

He had a wonderful staff and nurses who helped him serve their patients, and provide fine medical care to the community. Medicine was not only a profession for Dr. Bobby, it was a passion. He often said that he took joy in knowing his patient's hearts and charts; what hurts them and heals them; who they love and what they love. Dr. Bobby also helped cultivate a new generation of doctors by serving as a preceptor for many family medicine students who studied with him in Shelby. In 2006, Cleveland Family Practice was acquired by CaroMont Health. They enjoyed a collaborative relationship and continued to serve their patients.
He was also an author. He contributed to a number of medical journals and medical texts, created several works of fiction, and authored a coloring book dedicated to his grandson. Despite his illness, he continued to work on a mandolin instruction book, which is co-authored with Wayne Benson.

Acoustic music and his love for the mandolin resonated with Dr. Bobby, his family and his friends. Music was a shared joy among all the members of the Jones family, and Dr. Bobby believed that a family that picks together, sticks together. Throughout the years, he was a member of Sawbone's Grass, RiverBend Bluegrass Band, New River and Flint Hill Band. He was a frequent guest performer with Darin and Brooke Aldridge. More recently, he per-formed with The Leonard McSwain Band, and New Plowed Ground. He sang and played mandolin on 4 CDs. He was a member of the International Bluegrass Musicians Association. Dr. Bobby also played with the praise bands at Central United Methodist Church and Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

He loved hot summer days on a golf course. For years, he joined Jake Kiser to play a round of golf on Wednesdays at River Bend Golf Course for the "choose up," as well as many evenings spent playing a few holes with his son. He played in several tournaments to include the annual Member Guest at River Bend and the Bobby Jones Open which he attended with both his son and father.
Throughout his illness, he was humbled to receive so many cards and remembrances from his patients and his friends. The family has appreciated the many prayers offered up in support. We have truly been surrounded by love.

Dr. Bobby had a tenacious spirit. He loved God and his family, and strived to live a humble life. He believed in the power of Faith, family, friends, mu-sic and fine medical care. He was honored to serve his patients and their families for twenty eight years. Even after his diagnosis, he maintained that he has lived better than many people ever get to or any of us deserve. He goes on to join his loved ones in heaven where the only patients he will attend to are those he watches over on earth, the music is always in time and in tune, and the golf balls fly with the slightest draw. He will live on through the love he shared with his family and friends on earth.
Dr. Bobby's receiving of friends will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cecil Burton Funeral Home.

His funeral will be 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Aldersgate United Methodist with reception to follow in the Epworth Building. Dr. Bobby's wish was that his friends who are musicians join in a jam session at both the receiving and the reception to celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1207 West Dixon Boulevard, Shelby, NC 28152, (704) 487-5216 www.aldersgateshelby.com or Musicians Against Childhood Cancer, 1434 S. 3 B's and K Rd., Galena, OH 43021, (740) 548-4199, macc@bluegrassclassic.com, www.bluegrassclassic.com, or Brain Tumor Fund of the Carolinas, www.btfcnc.org 704) 635-8643.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Dr. Bobby Jones.

Guest registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.