Naomi Alcorn

Naomi Roberta Bobbi Alcorn, 89, passed away peacefully with grace and dignity on Sunday, November 30, 2014 surrounded by her loving family. Services are scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2014 at 11:00am with an early preview from 10:3011:00 at Grace Community Church with Pastor Rick Hale officiating. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery.

Born to Earl and Freida Korf on October 3, 1925 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Naomi Roberta Korf grew up in Chicago. By the age of 12, after developing a strong desire to dance and with the support of her mother, Bobbi was placed with the best teacher in Chicago, Merriel Abbott, who also directed the famed Abbott Line at the renowned Palmer House in Chicago. After only three years of study in ballet, toe, acrobatics, tap, jazz and musical comedy, Miss Abbott told a little white lie about Bobbis age, then 15, and deemed her a professional, launching her career as a dancer at the Palmer House.

Following a strict regimen under Miss Abbott while performing and teaching dance to new students, Bobbi also found time to graduate as Valedictorian from the Performing Arts High School she attended. She also got a taste of Hollywood when the Abbott girls appeared in several MGM movies.

At age 18, as American troops were marching through Europe during WWII, Bobbi joined a six month tour with the USO United Services Organization, performing with the troupe and as a solo dancer in Europe, Asia and Africa. Using the stage name, Naomi Roberts, military personnel voted her the Pinup Girl of the Persian Gulf Command.

During the USO tour, Bobbi met her husbandtobe, Rex Alcorn, in Belgium. They would marry three years later after both returned to the U.S.

After the war, Bobbi returned to Chicago to begin a solo dance career, was called back to the Abbott Line and chosen to model for the Varga Calendar where she was honored to be named the Varga Girl of 1946. Continuing her modeling career after a back injury ended her professional dance career, photographers followed her to Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco. She also taught modeling and was the model chosen when the color avocado made its debut in Dallas in 1949.

After their marriage, Bobbi and Rex lived in Dallas, then transferred to Carlsbad, NM and finally to Roswell where Rex served as a geologist for Sun Oil Co. and later as an independent. During the first several years of their marriage, they had three children, Dennis, David and Fawn. Shortly after their move to Roswell, Bobbi fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening a dance studio in 1961 to share her love of dance and assure that daughter, Fawn, would have an excellent dance education. She always felt there is much more to be gained through dance training than just a physical aptitude. There is beauty in working mind and body together.

During the early years of the Alcorn Academy of Dance, Bobbi enjoyed a precious relationship with a British born dancer, Laine Johns, who taught with her at the dance academy, later opening her own studio in El Paso. This extraordinary friendship endured for the rest of her life.

While Bobbi and daughter, Fawn, owned and operated the dance studio, she shared her professional talents with the community through the Roswell Symphony Youth Concerts, Assistance League Frolics productions and many other benefits. Further, while serving as an instructor for numerous dance organizations throughout the country, Bobbi worked with and choreographed many local theater productions, and judged several beauty pageants in New Mexico and Texas. She also served on the board and faculty of the Texas Association Teachers of Dancing.
Bobbi was a member and past President of the Roswell Symphony Guild and a past member of the Parent Advisory Council to the Roswell ISD. She also served as President of the Roswell Petro Club, and on the Board of Patrons of the Roswell Little Theater.

After retiring in 2002, Bobbi spent many years caring for her beloved husband of 62 years, Rex, who passed away in 2011. She continued to do volunteer work at the Community Kitchen, Roswell Symphony Orchestra and the Eastern New Mexico Medical Center Auxiliary. As an auxiliary member until her passing, she cherished several precious friends who filled her heart with joy on a daily basis.

Having received numerous awards and accolades throughout the years, one of her most treasured is the recent honor as a Silent Servant presented by the Roswell Historical Society in 2011 for her contribution to the children and community of Roswell.

Thousands of students attended the Alcorn Academy of Dance throughout its 42 year history and the influence of Mrs. A will continue to positively impact lives for generations. Many of Bobbis former dancers continued to visit and stay in touch with her, always praising and thanking her for not only teaching them to dance, but how to live life fully with pride, dignity, perseverance and flair. Bobbis legacy will always be a blessing and inspiration to family and friends.

While Bobbi was dedicated to her professional accomplishments and community involvement, her greatest joy and passion in life was her family. The love and respect Bobbi and Rex shared was a gift to her children. Her discipline, generosity and kindness were an inspirational and everlasting example of a well lived life.

Bobbi is survived by son Dennis and wife, Debby, of Prosper, Texas, son David of Roswell, daughter Fawn AlcornPierce of Roswell grandchildren Zac Wilberger of Prosper, Texas, Holly and husband, David Triche of Austin, Texas and Tracey Wilberger of Frisco, Texas and great grandchildren Taylor Wilberger of Frisco, Texas and Nathanial Triche of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by several very special nieces and nephews, very dear family friends and her cherished daughters of the heart. Bobbi is predeceased by husband, Rex, brother Marvin Korf and wife, Winifred, soninlaw Jim Pierce, and grandson Brad Wilberger.

Expressed gratitude to Dr. Paul Whitwam and the caring staff of the ICU and Medical Floor at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center.

Serving as Pallbearers are Billy Carlyle, Turner Carlyle, Tom Longwill, Jeff Reese, Joe Vicente, Joseph Vicente and Lance Vicente. Honorary Pallbearers are Jim Bruin, Steve Moore, Rodney Slade and lifelong friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the Roswell Symphony Orchestra, 1717 W. 2nd, Ste. 205, Roswell, NM 88201 and the Roswell Humane Society, 703 E. McGaffey, Roswell, NM 88203.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, December 4, 2014
8:00 to 6:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

Grace Community Church
935 W. Mescalero
Roswell, NM  88201
Friday, December 5, 2014
11:00 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

703 E. McGaffey St.
Roswell, NM  88203


1717 W. 2nd Street, Suite 205
Roswell, NM  88201