Bobbie O’Farrell Supports Students with Both Lifetime and Legacy Gifts

Bobbie O’Farrell grew up in Whitehaven, Tennessee, one mile from the home of Elvis Presley, who often visited with her father. She worked her way through college, navigating diverse social interactions and mastering punctuality. Upon graduation she began working as an educator during the school year and at the Memphis Bank and Trust during the summer, where she met her late husband of 58 years, Dean.

Bobbie’s upbringing instilled in her a robust work ethic that not only shaped her professional skills but also fostered personal growth. In 2022 she established the Dean and Bobbie O’Farrell Student Support Fund, awarded as part of the Last Mile Fund, to support UAH students. “I make an annual gift to the fund,” Bobbie says. “Initially I made cash gifts but quickly realized that making gifts through the IRA charitable rollover resulted in considerable income-tax savings.”

In addition to her annual gifts, Bobbie has arranged a planned gift to ensure her continued support. “Helping students reduce financial barriers to graduation is a lovely way to honor Dean’s memory, so it only made sense to plan a legacy gift to the fund,” she says. “I feel committed to helping young people not fall into the student loan trap, which is why I feel so strongly about the Last Mile Fund. There are many students who work hard every semester but get sidelined at the end of their college career due to an unexpected financial hardship.”

Bobbie encourages others to consider the legacies they could leave to support future students. “I love investing in UAH,” she concludes. “I have enjoyed witnessing their growth and their contributions to our community. When choosing an educational institution, UAH stands out as a wise choice. It offers an exceptional education, provides co-op experiences, and opens doors to outstanding job opportunities.”