Lou Glenn Hobbins

Lou Glenn Hobbins, born Lou Glenn Brantley on May 12, 1931, in Bailey, North Carolina, passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 11, 2026, at the age of 94, in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Lou was born to Sherwood and Hazel Brantley and grew up in eastern North Carolina, where she developed the warmth, resilience, and sharp sense of humor that would define her throughout her life. She was a woman of deep conviction, boundless generosity, and an infectious love for the people around her.

Lou Brantley was a prominent basketball player in Washington, NC, during the early 1950s. She was recognized as a top athlete in the city, notably serving as a forward for the Washington All-Stars. Her nickname was “Loopin’ Lou.” Her athletic talent and competitive spirit left a lasting mark on her community, and she was later honored as part of the Walk of Awards "Hall of Fame" in Washington, North Carolina, a recognition that spoke to her enduring legacy in the town where she came of age. Remarkably, Lou's love of basketball never faded; she continued shooting hoops well into her 80s.

In 1951, Lou dedicated her life as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, a commitment that became the cornerstone of her existence. She was a longstanding and devoted member of the congregation at the Kingdom Hall in Swansboro, North Carolina, and surrounding areas. Her greatest passion was helping others study the Bible and sharing its hope for the future. The scripture closest to her heart was Revelation 21:4: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." Lou held fast to the Bible's promise of the resurrection and the hope of living forever on a paradise earth, and she looked forward to those promises with unwavering faith.

On November 2, 1954, Lou married the love of her life, Donald Bruce Hobbins, beginning a partnership that would span over 71 years. Together they built a life that took them across the country. Their son, Jonathan, was born in 1956 in Key West, Florida. A daughter, Rachel, followed in 1958 in Elmira, New York, and a second daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1965 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Wherever the family settled, Lou made a home that was open to others, often welcoming those in need with characteristic generosity and without hesitation. Lou was known for her remarkable ability to connect with people. She was never a stranger to anyone, greeting new acquaintances with the same warmth she showed lifelong friends. She possessed a strong sense of justice and was unafraid to speak her mind, particularly in defense of those less fortunate. In quieter moments, she enjoyed browsing consignment shops and savoring her coffee at McDonald's, simple pleasures she cherished throughout her years.

Lou is survived by her beloved husband, Donald Bruce Hobbins; her daughter, Rachel Ann Hobbins; her grandson, Andrew Jon Hobbins; and her nieces, Susan Mathias Merritt and Connie Meeker.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sherwood and Hazel Brantley; her son, Jonathan Hobbins; her daughter, Elizabeth Louise Hobbins; her brothers, Roland and Reggie Brantley; and her sister, Madge Mathias Edwards.

A memorial service to honor Lou’s life will be held on May 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 42 Old Hammock Road, Swansboro, North Carolina 28584.

It was Lou's deeply held belief that her loved ones, friends, and family will see her again in the near future, reunited in the fulfillment of the promises she treasured throughout her faithful life.