of Cary, NC
January 7, 1945 - January 5, 2025
Max E. Bobbitt passed away on January 5, 2025 in Cary, NC after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. Max was born on January 7, 1945 in Helena, Arkansas. He was raised in Elaine, Arkansas and graduated from Elaine High School in 1963. He attended Arkansas State University and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Accounting in 1967.
Upon graduation, he started his career with Arthur Andersen in Memphis, Tennessee and earned his CPA. In 1970, he joined Allied Telephone Company in the accounting department and in 1973 became Controller. In 1980, he became Chief Financial Officer and in 1983 participated in the company becoming Alltel Corporation which was headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Then in 1993, he became President and Chief Operating Officer and subsequently took early retirement in 1995.
In 1968, he married Patricia Holley, who was his girlfriend in high school and in college. Their daughter, Melinda Bobbitt, was born in 1972. In 1995, Melinda married Kimball Shahrokhi and in 2000 had their only child, Aaron Shahrokhi, all of whom live in North Carolina. Max and Patricia were members of St. James United Methodist Church where Max was Treasurer for several years and a member of the Financial Committee. They joined Pleasant Valley Country Club in 1973.
Max was President of the Country Club in 1983 and served several years on the Board of Directors. Max was preceded in death by his father, Max Bobbitt; his mother, Vivian Bobbitt; his stepmother, Macel Bobbitt; his sister, Ginger Davis; his brother, William Bobbitt; his stepbrother, Harold Danley and his stepsister, Anita Danley. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Bobbitt; his daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and Kimball Shahrokhi; his grandson, Aaron Shahrokhi and his stepbrother, Larry Danley.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 10 am at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. The burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena, Arkansas at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. James United Methodist Church.
I knew Max from AA&Co and then during his time at Allied/Alltel and later Worldcom. I always found him to be an honest and honorable individual. I am sorry for his loss to his family and friends.
Patricia,
Sending prayers to your family.
Robin Reynolds
Too soon, another childhood friend has moved upstairs. Max, as a child was already exhibiting talents, intelligence, and faith that wouldd make him the gifted man and leader he was. Them world was a better place with him a part of it. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear about Maxie's passing, I talked with him about four months ago, I'm sure glad I did, we talked a lot about playing football at Elaine and caught up on the lives of many of our friends. He was top shelf! RIP
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Max. He and I were pledge brothers and Fraternity brother in Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity . I remember Max fondly as a brother with firm foundations and good principles for life.
Max was my PiKA brother ay ASU in the '60s and stands out for what a great guy he was to me. Never surprised at his successes. Prayers for family.