Milton "Sonny" Hobbs

Milton "Sonny" Hobbs, Sr, 76, went to laugh and dance in heaven on Friday, May 16, 2008. Hopping trains to go shoot pool in the next town, serving his country during the Korean War, and then teaching Electrical Engineering: these were the early days of the life of Milton Hobbs, Sr., who was born in 1931 in Logan County, WV.Dancing away the evening hours in the middle of the living room was a typical routine seen at the Hobbs residence in Connelly Springs, NC in the 60s and 70s. Those of the six children too young to "cut a rug" would stand on Milton’s shoes as he danced. Laughter would erupt until it was time to get ready for bed, Milt would rock each child on the front porch and sing songs like "Amazing Grace", "The Old Lamplighter", and "Old Rugged Cross." Maybe his nickname, "The Juke-box Man", was a fitting name as he delivered jukeboxes, pin-ball games, and pool tables to customers in four states. "Can I borrow a nickel?" was his favorite question when he called, followed by "I’ll pay for your gas to bring it to me". Maybe he is most recently remembered for the red mustang convertible in which he made his daily drive through Morganton and Drexel. Top down and old music playing loudly, he laughed and joked with everyone he met and he never met a stranger.Milton is survived by sons, Milton Hobbs and wife, Tammy, and Darryl Hobbs; daughters, Joyce Reece and husband, Dean, Theresa Jaynes and husband, Nathan, Deborah Hoffman and husband, Ted, and Allison George and husband, Captain Neal E. George, USAF; a sister, Patsy Ferguson of CA; and eleven grandchildren, Jessica, Christopher, Victoria, Alexandria, Joshua, Rebecca, Dillon, Calli, Holli, Samantha, and Leigh Anne.Sonny has gone to join his wife, Betty Smart Hobbs; his father, James Thomas Hobbs; his mother, Betty Clines Hobbs Tabor; one sister, and three brothers.The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, May 19, 2008 at North Morganton United Methodist Church with Rev. Tony Matthews officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military graveside rites to be performed by Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Piedmont Council, 1222 East Franklin Street, Gastonia, NC 28053.