Harold Dobbins

Retired Navy Chief Petty Office Harold Dobbins, 102, of Hampton, VA passed away on December 9, 2024.

Harold was born on September, 30, 1922 to the late James Dobbins and the late Emily Black Robinson. “Chief Dobbins” or affectionately known as “Big Chief” grew up in Charleston, SC  where he spoke about helping his grandfather.

Chief Dobbins served 28 years in the US Navy, where he served in WWII and Korean War as well as other conflicts.  

After joining the Navy, Harold met Leola where they went on to have 7 children.  When not on deployment took pride in being a father taking his family to the Officer’s club for lunch and attended the air shows. Big Chief also took great pride in being a grandfather where he often spent time with his grandchildren from taking them to the Blue Angels jet show, having lunch at the NCO club, letting the grandchildren get the change out of his car and meals at McDonalds, Olive Garden, Waffle House, Denny’s and Subway.  When he was asked to show up, he did.  He loved his great and great-great grandchildren just as much as his grandchildren where he created memories such as flying kites, something he proclaimed he had never done before. 

Chief Dobbins stayed true to his religious upbringing where he was a faithful member of Gethsemane Baptist Church, Newport News, VA.   Chief will be missed by most who spent time around him as he was known for his generosity with taking the church staff out to eat or just affectionately calling everyone “baby”.  

Chief Dobbins, is preceded in death by his wife, Leola, 4 brothers, Clarence, Lee, Amos (Duke), Joe, and son-in-law, Robert Fitchett (Doc).  He is survived by sister, Marie, 7 children Harold L., Darcel (Moneca), Michael (Deborah), Valerie (Robert, deceased), Anthony (Tony), Omar (Marilyn), Angela (Shaun).  11 grandchildren, Trina, April, Darcel (D’angelo), Robert, Kyla, Isiah, Darcel Jr, Kaneka (Dertrik), Barika, Corey, and Shaun II as well as a host of great grandchildren, and great, great-grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed by his family and church family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harold Dobbins, please visit our floral store.