Bobbie Jean Kouri

Bobbie Jean Kouri fell asleep in the Lord in Rancho Mirage, California on July 11, 2024. Bobbie was born in Blytheville, Arkansas on May 9, 1933, to faithful and loving parents, Jack and Victoria Saliba. Bobbie had an older brother, Jack.

As a young girl growing up in Blytheville, and throughout all her life, Bobbie was beautiful, intelligent, hardworking, and unconditionally devoted to her family. She was a singer and cheerleader in high school and worked with her parents in their café, known as the Nickel Stand.

Bobbie attended Gulf Park College in Gulfport, Mississippi for one year. During the summer preceding, she was visiting relatives in Fort Madison, Iowa, and the most handsome man she had ever laid her eyes on, Dr. Paul Kouri, was also visiting his relatives there at the same time (some of whom were mutual). Bobbie and Paul had met years before in the South when they mutually attended a Lebanese dance. At the time, Paul was 25 years old, and Bobbie was 13. Bobbie caught Paul’s eye then, but she was way too young! When they met again in Fort Madison, Paul was on his way back to California where he had recently set up his medical practice. He gave Bobbie his telephone number and address to give to another young lady, but Bobbie never gave the other young lady Paul’s contact information. She, instead, wrote him a letter, and that began a long-distance courtship of getting to know one another. The next summer, Bobbie moved to California to live with Paul’s aunt in order that the two of them could continue their courtship. At the end of that summer, Bobbie headed back to college and shortly thereafter, Paul called her to propose. They were married at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles on November 1, 1952. They had a wonderful life together for almost sixty years. They raised four adoring children, Robert, Kimla, and twins Joseph and John. 

Paul, Bobbie, and their children lived in Rolling Hills, California until 1994 when Paul and Bobbie moved to Rancho Mirage, California. During their years in the Los Angeles area, they were active members and supporters of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, and upon moving to Rancho Mirage, became faithful members and supporters of St. Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Church in Thousand Palms.

Bobbie loved living at Morningside Country Club in Rancho Mirage and established the most wonderful friendships there. She became a star golfer and played whenever she had the chance. She especially loved the mother/son tournaments. 

Bobbie was a leader and supporter of numerous non-profit organizations throughout the Southern California area. Amongst these, she was one of the original members of the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild Chapter for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, served on its Board, and remained active in the Guild for almost twenty years. Bobbie was a long-time member of the Lebanese Ladies Cultural Society whose aim is to provide scholarships to deserving young students.

Bobbie had deep faith in God, prayed unceasingly, was a history buff, loved to cook and entertain, play bridge, Mahjongg, work crossword puzzles, read novels, watch old series on television, shop, enjoy See’s Candies, and more than anything, be surrounded by family, who meant everything to her. Bobbie’s life revolved around family and friends, and her home was always open to everyone. 

She taught us to love unconditionally, pray every day, be strong, positive, gracious, charitable, and to live every day as though it were the last. Bobbie always spoke from her heart and shared her immense wisdom in every conversation. Her smile was infectious. 

By far, the greatest joys in Bobbie’s life were her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren (second one on the way), and her beloved dog, Kirby, who never left her side. She made everyone feel special just by being in her presence. She was “Mimi” to so many who loved and admired her.

Bobbie was preceded in death by her beloved parents, brother, husband Paul, and daughter-in-law, Caren. She is survived by her adoring children, Robert, Kimla (Robert), Joe (Christine), and John, her loving grandchildren Nicole (Mustapha), Danielle (Ash), Jacqueline (John), John Paul, Natalie, and Rachael, precious great granddaughter Kaia, and second great grandchild on the way.