Barbara "Bobbie" Gore

Barbara "Bobbie" Hales Gore, 71, passed away peacefully at her home on Maple Dam Road surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, May 25, 2025. She now rests in peace after a courageous six-year battle with triple-negative metastatic breast cancer, which she faced with resilience, determination, and grace.

Bobbie was born November 4, 1953 to Granville H. Hales Jr. and Barbara J. (Hinson) Hales. A lifelong resident of Cambridge, Maryland, Bobbie graduated from Cambridge High School in 1971. Bobbie was widely considered to be one of the best female athletes in her class, excelling in basketball, field hockey, softball, and volleyball. In 1975, Bobbie graduated from Frostburg State University where she competed in gymnastics and excelled on the uneven bars.

After college, Bobbie took her love for helping people and built a more than 40-year long career with Dorchester County Department of Social Services as a social worker where she supported vulnerable children, adults and families. She was beloved by her coworkers and the people she served. Bobbie was also a lifelong member of Grace Methodist Church, where she continued to serve her community. Her mother and father were members of Grace and Bobbie loved listening to her father play in the Baraca Band.

On April 18, 1987, Bobbie married Bill Gore, and together they built a loving family, sharing 38 beautiful years together full of love and laughter. Bobbie is survived by her husband, Bill Gore; her son, Zebedee "Zeb" Gore, and his wife, Ashley; her daughter, Barbara Chen-Gore, and her husband, David; and her stepdaughter, Dena Wanex, and her husband, Dick. She is also survived by three beloved grandchildren, Rowan Wanex, Amy Wanex, and the newest addition, Emilia Kay Gore. Bobbie shared a special bond with her four siblings who survive her: Granville III "Tuck" Hales and his wife, Linda; Richie Urtz and her husband, Tom; John Hales and his wife, Pat; and Rachel Budd and her husband, Timmy. She is also survived by 15 beautiful nieces and nephews of all ages.

The family will receive friends at Thomas Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Grace Methodist Church on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with visitation available at the church one hour prior to the service.

To honor Bobbie’s memory, the family welcomes donations to the American Cancer Society, Baywater Animal Rescue, or Blackwater Wildlife Refuge in support of causes close to her heart.