Barbara Jean Barnes
Barbara Jean Barnes (nee Doyle) passed peacefully on October 6, 2023, at 84 years of age.
She is survived by daughter Cathi Smothers (husband Dale), son Jeffrey Barnes (wife Lori Martin), grandsons Kris Morrison (wife Gina Morrison)and Kevin Smothers (partner Evans Ayala), sister Elizabeth Carty, niece Maren Hartman, nephew Matthew Carty, and a number of beloved cousins and friends.
She was preceded in passing by her husband, Charles.
Barbara was born in Syracuse, NY and raised in Penn Yann, NY in the Finger Lakes region; an area she carried in her heart always. As an Air Force wife, she cared for her family as they travelled across the nation and world, with assignments to Texas, Alaska, and Japan. While she loved seeing new sights, she was most gratified meeting new people and learning about their world. While in Japan, she trained to become a master Japanese flower arranger under a master sensei and taught conversational american language to employees of the Olympus camera company. She shared her back country camping skills with Girl Scouts in Japan and Alaska as well. When Charles retired from the Air Force, the family moved to his hometown of Chattanooga, where Barbara went to work for the Chattanooga Public Library, ultimately retiring as a Children's Librarian, another position she cherished. Throughout her life, Barbara exercised her passion for crafting.
At various times you could find her focused intently on ceramics, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, embroidery, dollhouse miniature making, and more. Barbara appreciated the opportunities she had, and took great pleasure in the successes of her family and friends. She is dearly missed, deeply appreciated, and always loved.
In accordance with Barbara’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. She will be reunited with her husband in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Welcome Home of Chattanooga hospice facility are encouraged and appreciated.
Arrangements are by Comfort Cremation Center, Chattanooga (423) 531-7141 www.comfortcremationcenter.com