Barbara Juanita Garbell

Barbara Juanita Jenkins Garbell went home to her Heavenly Father on August 21, 2014. There she joins her late husband Gerald Garbell, her son Gerald Jr., her parents Floyd and Maggie Jenkins, her brother Bill, and her sisters Betty, Julia, and Martha. She is survived by her two daughters, Laurel Lynn of Edmond, Oklahoma and her husband, Greg, and Tina Kennedy of Spokane, Washington and her husband, Joe. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by four grandchildren including David Lynn (Michelle); Michael Lynn; Jon Lynn (Minde); and Nicole Kennedy; six great grandchildren including Mackenzie, Danny, Alexa, Christian, Jonny, and Noah; and, two sisters, Lois White and Ree Greenhill, both of Florence, Alabama.

Barbara was born in Florence, Alabama on October 18, 1928 and spent her first 19 years there until she met the love of her life, Gerald “Jerry” Garbell. Barbara and Jerry married in Florence and then began their great adventure in life together moving west to Alaska and California before eventually landing on Mercer Island, Washington where they spent the rest of their lives together. Barbara became the vice president and co-owner of their company Aero-Copters and served in those roles for over three decades. While helping run their business, she decided to become a helicopter pilot, and, in 1973, she was officially recognized as the 153rd Whirly-Girl (female helicopter pilot) in the world.

Although she left the American south long ago, she was known for her terrific southern hospitality, always welcoming guests into her home and cooking great southern dishes. She was a proud member of G.R.I.T.S. (Girls Raised In The South) and occasionally travelled back to Alabama to see her family. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, and she was a congregant at the Woodinville congregation when she passed away. Her family thanks the congregation of the Woodinville Church of Christ for all of the kindness, compassion, and time they spent with her over the years, especially in her final months.

A memorial service will be held at Sunset Hill’s Funeral Home in Bellevue 1215 145th Place S.E. on September 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimers’ Association.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Bellevue, WA.