Obituary for Barbara Jean James (Reed)
Our lovely Mother, Barbara Jean James, 89, passed away peacefully on November 18th, 2022, at her home. She was born July 3rd, 1933, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Porter and Berenice (Heflin) Reed.
Barbara graduated St. Xavier's Academy in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, class of 1952, where she was a student of theatrical arts. Following graduation, she and her family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where she taught dance. While living in Florida, she went to California to visit her mother and met Clay Gene Ivey whom she later married and had her first son Mark. After they divorced she met Myra James who introduced her to her brother Harvey W. James whom she later married after a short courtship and to this marriage four sons were born. After the birth of William, they moved to Texas, where Kevin, Kenneth and Grant were born. A few years after Grant's birth they moved to Missouri, where she was a homemaker for several years before she went to work at Missouri State University, telecommunications department, for 40 years to the day. She traveled extensively to help to develop the telephone services of today.
Barbara’s life consisted of travel. She was able to see much of the country with her son, William, and Western Europe with her son, Kevin. She often visited California to see her son, Mark, where they enjoyed vacationing together, hiking and fishing in the Sierra Mountains. Her last great adventure was enjoying the sights and towns along the Erie Canal, embarking from Niagara Falls to the Hudson River. However, her most favorite destination of all was “no place in particular”.
She was a long-time member of the St. Agnes Cathedral and loved to sing in the choir. She believed in the dignity of all human beings. She sponsored several children, from infancy to adulthood, never wavering on her commitment to them through her favorite charity, Unbound.
She enjoyed going out for dinner every chance she got. She immensely treasured the time she spent with all her children and grandchildren every chance she got.
Barbara is preceded in death by her mother, Berenice; her father, Porter; her younger sister, Mary Lou; both of her husbands, Clay (Gene) Ivey, Harvey W. James; son, Kenneth P. James, and a special friend Jodie Holden.
She is survived by four of her sons, Mark Ivey of California, William L. James and his wife, Jackie of Republic, MO; Kevin P. James of Springfield, MO, and Grant S. James of Springfield, MO; three grandchildren, Michael J. Ivey, Megan Ivey, and Paul C. James all of Springfield, MO, and a host of many friends and extended family.
A Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., with a Funeral Mass following at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 1st, 2022, at St. Agnes Cathedral: 533 South Jefferson Avenue, Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Barbara in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Unbound, https://www.unbound.org/?source=logo, St. Agnes Cathedral, or a charity of your choice.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
Barbara graduated St. Xavier's Academy in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, class of 1952, where she was a student of theatrical arts. Following graduation, she and her family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where she taught dance. While living in Florida, she went to California to visit her mother and met Clay Gene Ivey whom she later married and had her first son Mark. After they divorced she met Myra James who introduced her to her brother Harvey W. James whom she later married after a short courtship and to this marriage four sons were born. After the birth of William, they moved to Texas, where Kevin, Kenneth and Grant were born. A few years after Grant's birth they moved to Missouri, where she was a homemaker for several years before she went to work at Missouri State University, telecommunications department, for 40 years to the day. She traveled extensively to help to develop the telephone services of today.
Barbara’s life consisted of travel. She was able to see much of the country with her son, William, and Western Europe with her son, Kevin. She often visited California to see her son, Mark, where they enjoyed vacationing together, hiking and fishing in the Sierra Mountains. Her last great adventure was enjoying the sights and towns along the Erie Canal, embarking from Niagara Falls to the Hudson River. However, her most favorite destination of all was “no place in particular”.
She was a long-time member of the St. Agnes Cathedral and loved to sing in the choir. She believed in the dignity of all human beings. She sponsored several children, from infancy to adulthood, never wavering on her commitment to them through her favorite charity, Unbound.
She enjoyed going out for dinner every chance she got. She immensely treasured the time she spent with all her children and grandchildren every chance she got.
Barbara is preceded in death by her mother, Berenice; her father, Porter; her younger sister, Mary Lou; both of her husbands, Clay (Gene) Ivey, Harvey W. James; son, Kenneth P. James, and a special friend Jodie Holden.
She is survived by four of her sons, Mark Ivey of California, William L. James and his wife, Jackie of Republic, MO; Kevin P. James of Springfield, MO, and Grant S. James of Springfield, MO; three grandchildren, Michael J. Ivey, Megan Ivey, and Paul C. James all of Springfield, MO, and a host of many friends and extended family.
A Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., with a Funeral Mass following at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 1st, 2022, at St. Agnes Cathedral: 533 South Jefferson Avenue, Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Barbara in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Unbound, https://www.unbound.org/?source=logo, St. Agnes Cathedral, or a charity of your choice.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.