Bobby Lee Cole Drozd, 76, of Hallettsville, passed away Oct. 30, 2017. She was born on July 8, 1941 to Robert E. Lee Cole & Lilah Epsa Wilkinson Cole in Wharton, Texas.

Bobby's father died when she was 6 years old. When she was 9 years old, her mother became the manager of the Cole Theater in Hallettsville, TX.  Bobby graduated in 1959 from Hallettsville High School. After attending what was then Southwest Texas in San Marcos she attained her childhood dream of joining the U.S. Navy in 1960 and proudly served for 4 years.  After boot camp at Bainbridge, Md., she attended Radioman "A" School, learning the Morse Code, Naval Communications & Cryptology.  She was then stationed at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi.  It was her thrill & privilege to communicate by Morse Code to the still commissioned USS Lexington.  Her plans were after 4 years to work at the newly being built NASA in Houston.

While working in Houston she re-connected (thanks to her Mother) with her special person, Daniel Drozd. They met in the 8th grade.

Daniel & Bobby were married on Oct. 3, 1965, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hallettsville, TX. Many believed they got married too soon – little did they know it was a 10 year off & on romance.  They then began a life long journey among family and friends.

Bobby & Daniel loved to dance; so much time was devoted to following Czech bands, for many years. It was especially fun in the early years of marriage as the whole Drozd family would go dancing.  If someone whistled, they were ready to dance.  They also did several years of square dancing as well.

They so welcomed the birth of their son, Robert Lee Drozd on Aug. 30, 1968, followed by their daughter, Leanne R. Drozd on June 16, 1971.

Bobby & Daniel were privileged to see Robert graduate from high school and then from South West Texas where he met and brought Cally Thompson Drozd, the love of his life, into our family to love. They made us the proud grandparents of Zachary Daniel Drozd and Katy Lee Drozd.  They have been such a joy in our lives.

Leanne, after graduating high school, joined the U.S. Army, she was in military intelligence with the 82nd Airborne Division during the Gulf war and later became a Warrant Officer and a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, her first love being to rescue those in need.  She did 2 tours of Afghanistan, and then taught others to fly at Ft. Rucker, Alabama before retiring after 20 years.

Bobby worked off and on for Lavaca County for over 30 years. She worked as the County Attorney's secretary two different times, the Lavaca County Clerk's Office, the Lavaca County jail as secretary & jailer, 10 years as the Clerk for Justice of the Peace #1, before completing her final working years as Administrative assistant for the Lavaca County Sheriff.

Bobby loved to travel, anywhere, anytime. They also got to visit and enjoy trips to places Leanne was stationed, with a lot of laughter.  The hardest part of these last few years was not being able to do so.

Bobby has served as a member of the Hallettsville Independent School Board of Directors for 12 years, a member of the now retired Lavaca County Crime stoppers, Inc. for over 20 years, a member of the American Legion for over 22 years, and a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 854 for over 20 years. She is a Charter Member of the Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Bobby is survived by her husband Daniel of 52 years, daughter Leanne, son Robert and his wife Cally, 2 grandchildren Zachary & Katy Drozd, and cousin Don Wilkinson. She is also survived by her very special family – her brothers-in law & her sisters-in-law. They have been a huge blessing in her life.

Bobby was preceded in death by her parents Lilah Epsa Wilkinson Cole & Robert E. Lee Cole, and cousin Gypsy Cole.

Memorial Funeral Service: 1 pm, Saturday, November 4, 2017 at St. Peter Lutheran Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 11 am until 1 pm Saturday at Church. Officiant: Pastor Jared Stillion. Memorials (in lieu of flowers): Breslau Lutheran Cemetery Association ( 337 County Rd 957W, Hallettsville, TX  77964) or Charity of Your Choice. Burial: Breslau Lutheran Cemetery. Reception (after graveside service): St. Peter Lutheran Church's Fellowship Hall.