Barbara Louise Owings
May 29, 1935 - October 12, 2024
Obituary
Barbara Louise Jackson Owings, affectionately known as the “old woman,” was born on May 29, 1935, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Lethia M. (Tucker) Newton and James H. Jackson. She was surrounded by the love of her extended Tucker and Jackson families; however, her mother, Lethia, desired greater opportunities for herself and Barbara. In 1940, when Barbara was just five years old, Lethia moved them to the District of Columbia to live with her sister, Spikey, and her new husband, Buddy. This move occurred during a pivotal time in American history, marked by the Harlem Renaissance, the onset of World War II, the Negro Baseball Leagues, and “The Great Migration” of people seeking better lives.
Barbara met Willie Owings at a soda shop near her school, where he famously proclaimed he would marry her someday. Their bond proved prophetic, and they married in 1953. As a new Air Force recruit, Willie’s service took them to Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. From 1954 to 1970, Barbara and Willie welcomed four children and embarked on numerous adventures together.
Travel was a beloved aspect of Barbara’s life. Their journey included the birth of their first child, Derrick, in New Hampshire, followed by Darcia in D.C., Stacey in Japan, and finally, Stephanie back in New Hampshire. In 1966, when Willie was deployed to Vietnam, Barbara faced challenges but remained resilient. She leaned on her best friend, Mary, who had five children of her own. Together, they made the most of their time, taking their kids on summer outings to swim, visiting amusement parks in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and dining at the newly opened McDonald’s, where they enjoyed meals with enough burgers and fries to feed a small army. During that year, after Mary was diagnosed with leukemia, tragedy struck as she passed away soon after. Thankfully, Willie returned safe from Vietnam, and upon the Air Force offering a transfer to Wiesbaden, Germany, Barbara was eager for this new chapter.
People born under the Gemini sun sign (May 21 to June 21) are often described as outgoing, creative, intelligent, and impulsive, and Barbara embodied these traits fully. She engaged in watercolor painting and cake decorating and taught gymnastics; she also enjoyed sewing and knitting while working at the base bowling alley. After three years in Germany, the family returned to the United States in 1970, establishing themselves in Omaha, Nebraska, where they purchased their first home.
Willie retired from the Air Force, and their children completed high school in Bellevue, Nebraska.
In 1995, Barbara and Willie returned to D.C., purchasing her mother Lethia’s home in the Maryland suburbs. Over the next two decades, they reunited with old friends and family while caring for Lethia until her passing at the age of 94. At the age of 80, Barbara and Willie chose to move to Seattle, Washington, to be closer to their daughters, marking the special occasion of Barbara’s 85th birthday and Willie’s 88th. We are incredibly blessed to have Barbara in our lives—a dynamic, inspiring figure who has been a devoted parent, teacher, and friend. She is truly our hero.
Barbara was born May 29, 1935 in Atlanta, Georgia to her parents Lethia Mae (Tucker) Newton and James Henry Jackson. She died October 12, 2024 in Renton, Washington. Barbara graduated from Cardozo High School in Washington D.C. and attended Bellevue College, Bellevue, NE. She married Willie Owings on December 26, 1953. She attended the Baptist Church, was a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association and was considered outgoing, creative, singer, and intelligent.
Barbara is survived by her children Derrick Owings and his spouse Nancy, Burlington, NJ, Darcia Tudor and her spouse Gary, Juanita, WA, Stacey Frantzen and her spouse, John-Erik, Burien, WA, Stephanie Hatcher and her spouse Carl Hatcher, Inchellium, WA ; her Grandchildren Kylie Bunce and her spouse John, Church Hill, MD, Anthony Owings and his spouse Andrea, Mt. Ephriam, NJ, Mackenzie Tudor, Kirkland, WA, Jasmine Tudor, New York, NY, Payton Frantzen, Walla Walla, WA, Tessa Tudor, Kirkland, WA, Quinn Frantzen, San Diego, CA and Great Grandchildren, Isabella Owings, Lillianna Owings and Kinsley Bunce.