Louisa Norwood Ellerbe Tobias, "Binkie", as she was affectionately known, died peacefully on October 3, 2013, in Columbia. Mrs. Tobias was born in Marion, South Carolina on June 10, 1924 to Louisa Norwood Mullins and Dexter Ernest Ellerbe. She grew up in Florence, South Carolina, where her father served as Postmaster General and Mayor of the city of Florence. After high school she attended Converse College before transferring to the University of South Carolina. It was at Carolina that she met John Lantye Mimnaugh "Jack" Tobias. They were married in 1944 and shared many happy years of life together in Columbia until his death in 2000.

Binkie was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother whose love and devotion to her family took precedence over all else. She was happiest when engaged in family time, from dance and piano recitals, tennis matches, baseball games, and family dinners. Mrs. Tobias was also an accomplished golfer, tennis player, artist she and loved playing bridge. She and Jack traveled extensively for his business as well as for pleasure, including many fabulous educational and adventure trips taken with their children and grandchildren. Mrs. Tobias was involved in the Columbia community, volunteering at her children's schools, working with the Junior League of Columbia's Speech & Hearing Center and was a lifetime member and supporter of the Columbia Museum of Art.

She was also a member of Forest Lake Club, the Pine Tree Hunt Club, the Palmetto Club, the Columbia Ball, the Quadrille, the Junior League of Columbia, Inc., the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, and the National Society of the Daughters of the Barons of Runnemede.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, James Edwin Ellerbe of Nerja, Spain, as well as her husband, John Lantye Mimnaugh Tobias. She is survived by her four children: Louisa Ellerbe Tobias Campbell (Wilburn Welles Campbell), Ethel Mimnaugh Tobias Bowman (William Hammond Bowman III), John Lantye Mimnaugh Tobias, Jr. (Jennifer Jill Wieland), all of Columbia, and Mary Norwood Tobias Miller (Richard Edward Miller) of Charlotte, NC.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ethel Bowman Bunch (Bill), Susie Bowman Horger (Bowen), Louisa Campbell Zimmerman (Eric), Robin Tobias Williams (Eric), John Lantye Mimnaugh Tobias III (Janie), Wilburn Alexander Campbell II (Mary Beth), Jennifer Tobias Young (Tripp), William Hammond Bowman IV, Emily Tobias Barb (Stephen), Welles Campbell Beary (Webster), Richard Geary Miller, Mary Louisa Miller and Edward Ellerbe Miller. Mrs. Tobias is survived by her sister–in–law, Herta von Mueffling Ellerbe, and beloved nieces and nephews. She also cherished her 15 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the wonderfully compassionate doctors at Senior Primary Care, the nurses at Palmetto Health Hospice, and the staff and caregivers at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community; but most especially we would like to thank her "guardian angel", Esther Boatwright, whose loving care and friendship added much comfort as well as years to our Mother's life.

The family will receive friends at a visitation to be held in the Guignard Mansion at Still Hopes, 1 Still Hopes Dr, West Columbia, on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A memorial service is planned for Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 11:00 am at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. The family will receive friends at a reception immediately following the service in Satterlee Hall. The graveside service will be private.

Serving as pallbearers will be Edwin Haselden Cooper, Jr., John Donald Dial, Jr., Robin Hood Dial, Dr. Burke Hood Dial, Frank Page Morris, Dr. Walter James Bristow, Jr. , Edward Wade Mullins III and Dr. John Ormond Fairey.

Memorials may be made to the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation for the John L. M. and Louisa E. Tobias Scholarship, c/o Gift Processing Center, 1600 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, Director of Development, P.O. Box 2959, West Columbia, SC 29171, Trinity Cathedral Foundation, 1100 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201 or to the charity of one's choice.