Bobbie Green Rider, 1948–2021
Bobbie Green Rider, 73, passed away peacefully in her home in Denver, Colorado, on November 14, 2021 after suffering a massive stroke on October 25. Born in Lubbock, Texas, on March 25, 1948 to Robert Cecil (“Spec”) Green and Theatus Rogers Green, Bobbie spent most of her youth in and around Guthrie and Spur, Texas. She was the eldest of three children. At her core, and no matter where life took her, she was always a girl of West Texas—fun, adventurous, strong and independent.
Bobbie graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1970 and a Master of Education in 1974. Over a 49-year teaching career, she taught fifth and middle school grades in Austin, Denton and Dallas and other Hill Country and North Texas public school districts. She would have pushed it to 50 years had it not been for Covid-19. She finally retired in May 2020. Her creativity, passion and nononsense approach to teaching made her a perennial favorite among her students.
Bobbie wielded the perfect combination of charm, intelligence, artistry and survival skills. Though she was petite (barely five feet tall), her personality was outsized. She excelled at cooking, baking and entertaining. She was known by her friends as the life of the party. Her laugh was contagious, and her radiant smile and beauty would light up any room. Yet, this same person, as a young woman and all by herself, raised and slaughtered turkeys and killed and skinned rattlesnakes. Nothing scared Bobbie, not even death.
Bobbie was a loving mother and fierce advocate for her two children, Andrew (“Drew”) and Megan (“Meg” or “Ande”). During their youth, it seemed as though Bobbie’s life mission was to ensure they had the best of everything and every opportunity. She worked tirelessly for her family. Days were spent teaching, while afternoons and evenings were devoted to afterschool activities and cooking homemade meals. Her meatloaf was the best! Bobbie was an excellent seamstress and incredibly creative, and put her talents to good use when making uniforms and costumes for school plays, Halloween, and every other dress-up opportunity.
Bobbie loved country-western dancing (especially the two-step), Texas music and the blues, Bob Dylan, great food, beautiful clothes and shoes and dressing up, nights on the town, watching the Yankees— there’s a story there—and the Rangers, good storytelling, long and scenic drives, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. But there were few things Bobbie loved more than cutting loose with friends over happy hour with a Tecate or margarita in hand.
In July, Bobbie moved away from Texas for the first time to live in Denver, Colorado, with Meg and her family. It was a strenuous move, but it was done so Bobbie could play a more active role in her Colorado grandchildren’s lives and with the intent that Denver would serve as a home base for various adventures during Bobbie’s golden years. She had big plans.
Bobbie lived a full life on her own terms. She was a true friend and a devoted and loving mother and grandmother (“Bobo”), who was always there when you needed her. She was preceded in death by her mother, Theatus; father, Spec; and younger sister, Sydney. She is survived by her children, Drew and Meg, and their respective spouses, Tiffany and Ryan; her five grandchildren, Daisy, Liberty, Austin, Jack and Ella; her younger brother, Roger; her nieces and nephews; and countless others whom she loved and who loved her along the way. She will be deeply missed but never ever forgotten.
Mom, we’ll be seeing you in the snow-covered Rockies on bluebird days, in the moonlight dancing through gnarled branches of live oaks in the Hill Country, and in the reds, oranges and yellows of West Texas sunsets.
In honor and remembrance of Bobbie, charitable donations may be made to the Sierra Club or the ACLU. Condolences may be sent to Be a Tree Cremation at 2970 W Severn Pl., Denver, CO 80204. A celebration of Bobbie’s life is planned for early 2022 in Dallas, at a location to be determined.
