Barbara Jeanette Owens Hart, 83

Barbara Jeanette Owens Hart passed away on May 24, 2021. She was born July 15, 1937 in Germantown, KY at the Hayswood Hospital in Maysville, KY.

Mrs. Hart is survived by her daughter Carla Jeanette Hart and grandson, Dylan Jayden Gray, her sister Yvonne O. Rawlings, her companion and love of her life, Bobby L. Newberry. Nephew, Ken Rawlings, (Connie), children David Baggett, Kasey (Krystal), sons Kathan, Keegan, & Kody, niece Jana Rawlings Titus (Bryan) their son Alec (Rachel), daughters Cali & Ella and their daughter Alexis. Also survived by Bobby’s son Robbie Newberry (Lisa), daughter Lizzie, and daughter Jessica, children Ethan, Alyssa, and Kali.

Mrs. Hart was predeceased by her wonderful parents, Jewell Galbraith Owens in November, 1982, and Jesse C. Owens in September, 1988. Also her Brother-in-Law, Lt. Col. Gene D. Rawlings, Nov. ’89. Gene was exactly like a great brother, that she never had! Barbara was an active member of the Legacy Christian Church.

Barbara really liked sports! She was a Basketball Cheerleader, starting in the 5th Grade at Germantown Elementary School in Germantown, and on the Bracken County Polar Bears, in Brooksville, through her Senior Year, where her sister was also a Cheerleader. Barbara worked at Provident Bank in Cincinnati, before moving to Lakeland in June, 1956! Then she worked in Banks for 4 years, from Miami to Jacksonville, and has worked in every Department in a Bank but Trust! Also worked at Exchange National Bank, in Tampa, & Peoples Bank of Lakeland.

Her Mother told her “Try to do something for somebody everyday, that can do nothing in return for you”! Barbara tried to accomplish this every day. Barbara volunteered for the Host Task Force, in Lakeland, (many folks won’t even remember that group), Lakeland Chamber of Commence, American Cancer Society for many years. Also was supportive of the Lakeland Police Department’s Pal Program for over 25 years…On the Board of Publix Super Markets Charities, for 25 years, and was Mr. George Jenkins’ Personal Secretary for 25 years, before retiring in June 1997. She always said “He was one of the most caring, and intelligent people she had ever met”!!

Barbara loved living life to the fullest, besides her family, she enjoyed; painting, karaoke, writing, Texas hold’em, and especially finding lost or missing loved ones. She found dozens of people over 25 years. Visitations will be held Thursday June 10th from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Friday June 11th starting at 9 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:30 a.m. at the Legacy Christian Church, 901 W. Beacon Road. Cards or letters for the family, please send to P.O. Box 7535, Lakeland, FL 33807. Condolences may be sent to the family at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes.