Individual Details

Death

Mrs. Bobbye Furr, went to the Kingdom of Heaven Sunday, October 12, 1997. Although she suffered from a multitude of life-threatening illnesses for ten years, she successfully battled against and conquered all until her Lord, Jesus Christ, lovingly through the Holy Spirit called her home while peacefully sleeping. Praise Be to God. Mrs. Rentz’ lifelong Friend, Companion and Savior ... her faith was increasing in this life and now for eternity. Born Bobbye Sarahlene Furr on August 9, 1912 in Atlanta, Georgia, the only child of Henry McWhorter Furr and Era Mae Furr (the first principal of Miami Springs Elementary, serving 25 years as principal). Bobbye along with her Mother and Father moved to Miami and graduated from Miami Senior High School. Bobbye attended Bessie Tift College for Women and University of Indiana and graduated from the University of Miami in 1939. She met and married William Carlton Rentz, M.D. the 17th of June, 1934. To this loving union, three children were born, Carla, Carl and Larry. In 1958 Dr. Rentz died unexpectedly. Suddenly a widow, responsible for caring, supporting and raising of their three children on her own, Bobbye returned to the University of Miami for her Master's Degree in Education while simultaneously reentering the work force as Assistant Principal for Guidance in Junior and Senior High Schools. She was Guidance Counselor at Citrus Grove Junior High, Northwestern and Southridge Senior High Schools. Like her mother, Era Mae Furr, Bobbye served Dade County Public Schools and its students for 25 years until her retirement in 1978. Bobbye loved children and was totally dedicated to giving them the best guidance and education she could offer. At the age of 14, before receiving her undergraduate degree, she taught school in South Georgia, which initiated her lifelong love of teaching and guiding our youth. Bobbye's life was diversified and challenging. She always accepted her activities with responsible participation in all endeavors, family, social, charitable, professional and religious, She happily contributed to her memberships and leadership roles in numerous organizations, such as Phi Mu, Delta Chi Sigma, Delta Kappa Gamma, past president of Dade County Medical Auxiliary, Women's Cancer Association, Miami Junior Women's Club, an active member of Riverside, Shenandoah and currently, University Baptist Churches, Coral Gables and Riviera Country Clubs, Coral Gables Garden Club, Administrators Association of Dade County Schools, University of Miami Alumnus (Masters Degree) and other civic organizations. In addition to her dedication to family, church, community and professional duties, Bobbye's favorite pastimes were spectator sports (football, baseball, basketball and boxing), and tenaciously competing in duplicate bridge tournaments where she earned the prestigious Lifetime Master acclamation. As a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Bobbye Rentz is survived by her family members who admired, respected and loved her dearly -- her daughter Carla Rentz Bost, her sons William Carl Rentz, II, and Larry Rentz, and her grandchildren Ansley Bost Calhoun, Connor McCollom Bost and Lorin Alexandria Rentz. In celebration of Bobbye’s life, we rejoice in heavenly thanksgiving that we were blessed to know her, learn from her, be a part of her spiritual kinship with our Lord, Jesus Christ and to love and be loved by her, Amen. Services will be at 2 P.M. on the 16th of October, 1997 at University Baptist Church Sanctuary in Coral Gables, 624 Anastasia Avenue (448-4425). The family will receive mourners immediately after the services at the church. A private grave side service will follow immediately at Woodlawn Cemetery in Coral Gables. Donations can be made in memoriam of Bobbye F. Rentz to University Baptist Church or to “Larry Rentz, Guardian for W. Carl Rentz, ll," her elder son and a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor.
The Miami Herald, Miami, Florida, October 14, 1997