Barbara Nell “Bobbie” Dunman Rives, 91, of Hardin, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. Bobbie was born on April 29, 1934, in Jasper, to Roy Wayne and Venee Vera Stanford Dunman. A former resident of Highlands, she made Hardin her home for the past 28 years. She was a proud graduate of Hardin High School and dedicated 30 years of service as an officer at Highlands State Bank. Bobbie was a faithful member of Hardin Methodist Church and deeply committed to serving her community.
Barbara and her husband were instrumental in chartering the Senior Citizen Center and worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed to keep it going. Each morning, she made her famous gravy, and there was always a long line of seniors eager for a plate of her well loved biscuits and gravy. She brought joy, humor, and kindness to the center every day, sharing laughter and creating cherished memories with the seniors she loved so dearly. Bobbie found joy in the simple things that brought people together, playing games, fishing, and cooking for those she loved.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 67 years, James Byron “Blackie” Rives; her son-in-law, Robert “Bobby” Hooper; and her brother, Ralph Dunman. Bobbie leaves behind a family who adored her: daughters Kathy Rives Hooper and Kay Rives; grandchildren Chase W. Wilson, Jake James Hooper, Zachary Hilton Hooper and wife Claudia, Pete Hooper and wife Amy, and Joe Hooper; great-grandchildren Eleanor Jane Hooper and Vivienne Lane Wilson; along with numerous other relatives and dear friends.
Honoring the family by serving as pallbearers will be Mike Rives, Kale Rives, Chase Wilson, Jake Hooper, Joe Hooper, Justin Kaufman.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at Hardin Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Hardin Chapel Cemetery.
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