Barbara Ann Lee

Barbara Ann Hayes was born in Elm Creek, Nebraska June 26, 1931. In the late 1930’s, her parents James Patrick Hayes and Buelah J Stockburger moved their family to a farm outside Nampa, Idaho.  Barbara grew up working on a farm of 80 acres that included Dairy Cows, Alfalfa, Corn and Beehives. She is survived by her sisters Ellen and Sharon, and her brother Eugene.

After graduating High School in 1949, Barbara traveled to San Francisco to study at the Dental Nurses Training School. She graduated in June of 1950.

In 1951, she married Garrett (Gary) James Smith, they moved to Roseburg, Oregon and between 1952 and 1959 had 5 children: Garrett Jr, Jamie Ann, Mark Hayes, Stephanie Ann, and Barbara Ann.

In 1973, her husband passed away due to complications as a result of a work accident. After his passing, Barbara became a cook at a grade school in Medford, Oregon. During the next few decades, she also waitressed at several different restaurants in the Rogue Valley and Ukiah, California. Barbara enjoyed being with people and made friends easily.  

In June of 1987, she married the second love of her life, Cloe Morgan Lee. She and Cloe spent time between northern California, and the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon.  

Barbara was known to hunt wild Mushrooms with Cloe and their friends. One season they sold enough wild mushrooms to pay for a trip to Costa Rica – a trip they all enjoyed and talked about for years.  

Barbara’s other passionate hobby was Gardening. She was known to have a Green Thumb and everything she touched turned out beautifully.  She especially loved Iris flowers and over the years exchanged bulbs with other Iris loving friends. Some bulbs from Barbara’s mother Buelah continue to bloom in her friends’ gardens in the Rogue Valley and in Reno, Nevada.

After Cloe passed in December 2009, Barbara continued to be active, and traveled with friends and family to Kauai, Israel, Mexico, Italy, and Spain.  When she wasn’t traveling, she spent time with her family. Barbara aka ‘Gigi' is cherished and fondly remembered by her 14 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

Barbara was passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community and asked that her friends and family make donations to the Food and Friends Social Organization. ( https://rvcog.org/home/sds-2/food-friends-meals-on-wheels/ )

Barbara will be greatly missed by so many of her friends and family.  Should you have a memory or a photo you would like to share, her Facebook Remembrance page is:  ( https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Barbara%20Lee )

At Barbara’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. She will join Cloe Morgan Lee on March 10th, 2023 in Eagle Point National Cemetery.