Barbara DeVorss

Barbara DeVorss, 83 Born: August 8th, 1933, Yorkshire County, York, England Died: October 30th, 2016, Clark County, Vancouver, WA Barbara DeVorss, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away peacefully on October 30th, 2016 after struggling with failing health for many years at the age of 83. Born, Barbara Smith, in Yorkshire county, township of Strensall, in the United Kingdom, on August the 8th, 1933 she grew up on a family farm. After completing her primary school education, Barbara apprenticed as a switchboard operator. In the late 1950's, she decided to immigrate to the United States and resided in Johnson City, Tennessee where she completed the requirements to be naturalized as a U.S. citizen. Barbara resided in various states and U.S. territories including Louisiana, South Florida, Guam, and North Dakota, and in the Spokane area of Washington State. In 1971, while working as a bookkeeper for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service in North Dakota, she met her Husband, William H. DeVorss (Bill), and married him on October 21st, 1972, and took on motherhood of Crystal and Martin. Barbara enjoyed a long career in retail with Montgomery Wards and was one of the last employees to be retired from the Portland, Oregon store. In retirement, she was active for many years in the Columbia River Chapter of the Military Officer's Association of America as the recording secretary. Barbara was an avid reader and crossword puzzle solver. Among her passions was to paint in acrylics, work in ceramics and sewing. In her later life, she enrolled in many adult education classes at Vancouver Community College campus to pursue her love of painting. Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved Husband, Bill DeVorss. She is survived by her Daughter, Crystal Grayson of Sevierville, Tennessee, and Son, Martin DeVorss, of Dover, Florida, her Sister, Jillian, of North Humbershire County, Goule township, England, and Brother, Frank, of Yorkshire County, City of York, England and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Vancouver, Washington on November 14th at 10 am after which Barbara will be interred as the Beloved Wife of a Military Veteran at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.

Barbara DeVorss

August 8, 1933 - October 30, 2016