Barbara was born on October 14, 1934 in Tellico Plains, Tenn. She passed away on April 20, 2021 at her home in Hoopa.

In the early morning of April 20, 2021 our Mom went to sleep. Two days before, she mowed her lawn on the riding mower with a big grin. The next day she was digging out blackberry bushes during the day and attending a planning meeting at her church. She ate good and with her new knee she felt a lot better. You see, our Mom didn’t know how to not be a hard worker. Yet, she was tired from having pain in her body for the last five years. Not the type of tired that you feel from putting in a good days’ work - just tired. The type of tired you can feel at 86 years of age. In the last couple of weeks she had been talking about our Dad a lot more. So, in that early morning she went to meet Dad, her many friends that have already departed, her son, along with her Mom and Dad, brothers, and many friends.

While we are shocked and saddened by Mom’s sudden departure, we are, also, happy she just went in her sleep. We’ve all experienced end of life scenarios that involved a lot pain and struggles; Mom was blessed with passing in a peaceful, pain free manner.

Barbara is survived by her sisters: Betty (Edwin) Tipton of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Shelby Belcher of Florence, AR.; Wanda (Marshall) Cobb of Rutledge, GA; and Shirley (Bill) Millsaps of Knoxville, Tenn. Her brother: Norman (Sheila) Cole of Tellico Plains, Tenn.; and her sister in-law Gloria (Dell) Shuster of McKinleyville, CA. She is survived by her children: Deborah Lewis-Roberts, Sherlette, Colegrove, Michael (Sheila) Lewis, Pamela (Arnie) Wickerd and Cheryl (Frank) Tuttle. Her granddaughters: Rose (Ken) Creech, Misty(Brian) Jensen, Hannah (Sean) Roberts, Jenea (Slade)Lawrence, Ruby (Pyuwa) Bommelyn and Mariah Lewis. Her grandsons: Nathan (Cat) Wickerd, Michael (Amber) Lewis, and Koiya (Brianna) Tuttle. Her great granddaughters: Alyssa Jensen, Shaylean Lawrence, Sloane Creech, Hune’ Bommelyn, Fiadh Lewis, and Mee-sril-ghvlh-na Bommelyn. Her great grandsons: Jayden Jensen, Athen Wickered, Raedyn Lawrence, San-t’as Bommelyn, Corbin Creech, Waa-syn-nii Bommelyn, Devin Wickered, Zayden Lawrence, Chvn-was-na Tuttle, Lil-koe Tuttle, and Sekeenek Tuttle, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Our mom was a kind, gracious and loving mother, sister, auntie and grandmother, and friend to all. She devoted much of her time and efforts working at the First Baptist Church in Hoopa. for over 30 years - either teaching Sunday School, performing the church Treasurer duties, or singing in the choir or with others to share her love for God. She was very creative with sewing, crocheting, and making jewelry - these brought her much joy and happiness. Her love of working in the yard with her flowers and plants is evident by the profusion of color found every spring and summer in her yard. Blessings and much love to the woman who has been our mom, a wife, sibling, grandmother and great-grandmother, an auntie, friend, mentor, and an inspiration and a genuinely good person.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Fed and Sina Mae Cole; her husband Ernest (Pete) Lewis Jr.; brothers, Bernard Cole, Mike Cole; and sister Judy Cole; along with her son Ernest (Butch) Lewis III. Her sister-in-law, Barbara Dean Combs recently passed away.

There will be a private burial service for the immediate family members. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions a mask and social distancing will be required for those who are invited to attend to protect those not vaccinated or at risk, and the community. Later this year or next year, we will have a gathering to Celebrate her Life - TBA.