BARBARA JEAN CHARBENEAUX

My sister Barbara Jean passed away July 3, 2019. 

74 1/2 years at her time of death. Barbara Jean was born in Knoxville Tennessee.  Her family supported the war effort with skilled tradesmen constructing the Oak Ridge project in 1944. The war concluded. Barbara and father Omer and mother Kathryn with sister Mary Jo moved to Chester Pennsylvania for work. Barbara attended public schools and was very smart. Barbara's small stature did not prevent her from asserting authority. Barbara decided to see the world early and left for parts west. She lived life on her own terms. Granddaughter says "Nana was always Dolled-Up".

You understand grief when a loved one dies. We witnessed her strength while ill, "Never give up, I'll  get better." But Barbara realized all things end and was ready. The hospice helped fulfill her wishes. We waited with her and noticed her positive glow as the opium was intravenously vested to her. For the next four-hours, Barb had the time to touch our hearts; aware and without pain or suffering.

Her sleep started and Barb lived another 40-hours. Barbara did not suffer and was comfortable and peaceful, suffering far more during her life than now. We knew Barbara was hungry because her stomach growled and when the nurse wiped her mouth she closed down as to eat. Her survival nature and she fought to the end.

Barbara had a hearing aid. One final wish was for new batteries. Said and Done! Barbara told us thanks and she could hear okay. Barbara heard us as we talked through the hours. I saw her smile and cry. Both were very subtle movements and knowing she could hear us, I would see her smile and smiled too. The motion of her head at every exhaled breath was a cry. Not a painful cry, maybe a scared cry, maybe nature was just taking over. I cried with her.

Barbara went to sleep and did not wake up and may God Rest Her Soul.

The surviving clan includes daughters Mary Kay and Monique, granddaughter Bree and grandson Zack; great-grandsons Julian and Lyric; and grandson-in-law Christian; Her BFF Sandra and friends Shelley and Lance and Alyvia and Carol and Angelo; brothers Billy and George; and sisters Mary Jo and Beth; and nieces Mary Jo and Crystal and Lindsey; and nephew's Joseph and Matthew and Bill and Ben and Tim and Kyle. Mary Kay's kin are part of the clan and were not intentionally omitted.

PEACE & LOVE,

Billy

P.S. Send cash to help defray burial costs. Cards and mail for information send to:

W.D. Owen

11 Linden Ave

Portsmouth Virginia 23704 

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