Marla Jean Barber

MARLA JEAN BARBER May 25, 1941 ~ October 11, 2012 "We will miss her so very much, but she will be with us forever in our hearts and memories. Love you sweetie!" Our precious wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away on Oct. 11, 2012, peacefully at home with family by her side. Marla was born in Vancouver, WA, moved to Eureka, CA at the age of nine. Marla met Jerry Barber in a youth group at the First Christian Church of Eureka and they were later married in that church and enjoyed 54 wonderful years together. They became members of the First Presbyterian Church of Eureka where they were deacons and provided other services. Marla and Jerry also sang in the choir where they met many longtime friends of over 20 years. They lived in Eureka until moving to Renton, WA for four years and then to Vancouver, WA for the past 30 years. Marla was not only a wonderful wife and mother, but a very giving person through her active roles in PTA as president several years, as den mother in Blue Birds and Campfire, as a sorority sister in Beta Sigma Phi and later in her own business, selling adventures to others through her cruise agency, Custom Cruises Plus. She had a gift for giving others the means for them to create wonderful memories. While her daughter, Kathy, attended Mountain View High School, Marla was instrumental in beginning the annual Bazaar to raise money for the band and other student fundraisers. Marla and Jerry enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and all over the world on more than 70 Cruises. They enjoyed music and belonged to West Hills Dance Club of Portland/ Vancouver, where they were fortunate to have met many more longtime friends throughout the past 25 years. She has touched so many lives and brought happiness to so many through her love, kindness and thoughtfulness. Marla is survived by her husband, Jerry Barber; daughter, Kathy Barber; grandchildren, Christopher and Christina and Nicholas Brannon; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Ileah-Rose, Steven and Adyson Kay Brannon; brother, Gary Griffin (Connie); nephew, Bryan and niece, Marce; her great-grandnephew, Andre. She was preceded in death by our son, Steven Elwood Barber; and daughter, Lorraine Kay Brannon; and her parents, Lloyd and LaVillia Griffin. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Ave., Vancouver WA. 98684, at 12:30 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 27, 2012. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Marla's name to the American Cancer Society , or Humane Society of SW Washington, where she has served in many capacities. Marla loved our dachshunds through the years and especially their dog, Lucy.

Marla Jean Barber

May 25, 1941 - October 11, 2012