Dr. Selma Ann Plowman Hobby

Dr. SELMA ANN PLOWMAN HOBBY passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends she had touched in ways great and small through her memorable life. Selma was born in Little Rock, Ark., on March 15, 1936, the eldest child of Norvell N. Plowman and Alleen Shillcutt Plowman. A lifelong resident of Little Rock, she graduated from Little Rock High School in 1953. She attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, receiving three degrees culminating with her Doctor of Education in 1966. She dedicated 44 years to education, teaching political science, history, and education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels throughout the University of Arkansas system after beginning her career as an English teacher in the Little Rock School District. She supervised practice teachers and served as a mentor to young teachers, and was a published author and frequent guest lecturer. She retired from the Little Rock School District as an administrator in 2001. Selma was a lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, and felt fortunate that each of her children were both baptized and confirmed there. Her last note was to the Church expressing her heartfelt thanks for the cards, visits, and prayers she received while in the hospital. Selma married Richard Brentwood Hobby on June 7, 1957 and they remained happily wed the next 53 years. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2007 at a gala celebration among family and friends. She dearly loved each and every member of her family and was especially comforted by the loving attention she received in her last days from her husband and children, her brother Norvell N. Plowman, her sister Nancy Belle Woodson, and her nieces Allison P. Hatfield and Leslie P. Fisken. Selma is survived by her husband Richard and her children R. Brent Hobby and his wife the Rev. Kim A. Hobby of Morristown, Tenn., N. Melissa Hobby of Frederick, Md., and Gregory N. Hobby of Little Rock; her brother Norvell N. Plowman of Little Rock and sister Nancy Belle Woodson of Wrightsville Beach, N.C.; and four loving grandchildren. Following a private graveside service at Mount Holly Cemetery, a reception for family and friends will be held at the home of Jeff and Allison Hatfield, 5236 Sherwood Rd., Little Rock, Ark., on Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either: Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, Ark., 72227 (501) 227-0000, http://www.secondpreslr.org/ or CARE for Animals, P.O. Box 7604, Little Rock, Ark., 72217-7604, (501) 603-CARE, http://www.careforanimals.org/honor.asp. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.