Barbara Jean Bell-Blanton

Posted on November 1, 2023

Barbara Jean Bell-Blanton passed away on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Columbia County surrounded by her loved ones.

Barbara (Bobbie) was born at home to Drew Bell Sr. and Naomi Plymel Bell on Sunday, Aug. 1, 1937, in the little house her parents built in Mayo Junction.

After graduating from Lafayette High School in 1956, she began her career in the medical field. She was trained at St. Vincent Hospital in Jacksonville as a surgical technician. Bobbie continued her career in Perry and eventually became an x-ray technician. She retired in 1984 due to a back injury.

Mama was a Baptist and a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church. She loved to crochet doilies, and blankets in addition to sewing quilts. She was a talented seamstress.

Her other loves included gardening, hunting, fishing, playing the piano and creating beautiful cakes, as well as cooking. She was renowned for her hushpuppies.

Sister Barbara attended Shady Grove Primitive Baptist Church, often a key contributor to meals for her church family, and often played the piano at other sanctuaries she attended over the years including, Burton Baptist Church and Pisgah.

She is preceded in death by: her parents, Drew Bell Sr. and Naomi Bell; her two sisters, Mignonette B. Williams and Anzalee B. Burns; and her younger brother, Drew Bell Jr.

Bobbie is survived by her two children, Volare (Robert) Barfield of Las Vegas, Nev., and Keith (Rebecca) Jones, of Las Vegas, Nev.

Bobbie was blessed with a blended family from around the world, including 10 grandchildren: Adrian Clifford of Las Vegas, Nev., Allison (David) Barfield of Las Vegas, Nev., Brian (Stacy) Barfield of Perry, Taylor Jones of Las Vegas, Nev., James K Jones, II of Las Vegas, Nev., Zack Aguilar of Las Vegas, Nev., and Sabrina (Andre) Newmann of Gifhorn, Germany.

Her 11 great-grandchildren were: Brady Clifford, Cameron Clifford, Hunter (Kelsey) Barfield, Triston (Savannah) Barfield, Brilee Barfield, Pascal Neumann and Yannik Neumann.

She was recently graced with two great-great grandchildren, Kohen Barfield and Kylan Barfield.

She is also survived by her brother, Marcus (Cheryl J.) Bell of Mayo, and sister-in-law, Cheryl D. Bell of Mayo, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Burns Chapel on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m. with Elder Gary Blanton and committal services to follow at Bethel Creek Baptist Church in Mayo.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Haven Hospice 6037 W. US 90 Lake City Fl. 32055-8196, where she rested in the days before she went home.