GREENSBORO, NC -  Peacefully, on Sunday April 26, 2026, God in His infinite wisdom, determined that his child, our beloved Oliver Wendell Dobbins, had suffered enough and closed his eyes and entered him into eternal rest at Beacon Place AuthoraCare Collective Hospice in Greensboro, NC.

Ollie or Dobs, as he was known to most people, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 30, 1941. The youngest of seven children born to George and Laura Dobbins. He was raised in West Philadelphia and educated in the Philadelphia school system. He attended West Philadelphia High school and excelled at track and football.

From there he attended Morgan State University and continued to do his football thing. Upon graduation, he went to join the Buffalo Bills to begin his professional football career. He was on the 1964 AFC championship team. That career was halted by a knee injury and Ollie set forth on another path. While teaching in Baltimore, he played for the Continental League, Wilmington Clippers, Baltimore Colts and lastly, the Pottstown Firebirds. As a final achievement, he is in the Morgan State University Hall of Fame.

Ollie became a teacher and coach in Philadelphia. He earned a Master's degree from Trenton State University. Moved to New Jersey, Maryland where he had a "farmette" that he loved and eventually settled in North Carolina with his son, Aaron and his family.

He leaves to mourn his loss: his beloved wife of sixty-one years, Joanne (nee Queen), sons Kevin and his partner Jackie, Aaron, daughter-in law, Nicole, grandchildren Eric, Alisha, Jazz, Anthony and Ethan. Also his sisters Berniece Sharpe, and Janice Littlejohn, nephews Melvin, Keith and Mark Thomas and Brian Dobbins. Nieces Sheila, Juanita, Renee, Cheryl and Stacey. There are many other family and friends who will mourn his passing.

The visitation will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., followed by the service at 10:30 a.m. at JB Jenkins Funeral Home, 7474 Landover Road, Landover, MD.

Local assistance by McLaurin-Harris