Barbara Ann Dawes

Barbara Ann was the first of two daughters born to Willard “Bill” Baxley and Ava (McDonald) Baxley on May 6, 1948 in Visalia, California. She graduated from Liberty Elementary and continued on to graduate from Tulare Union High School in 1966, where she played competitive tennis and played for Valley Championship in the doubles competition her senior year. She was involved in Girl Scouts throughout her childhood, with her mother being the Troop Leader. She enjoyed growing up in the country with her family’s dairy and farming, all close to their homestead. She had fond memories of being put to work moving and setting irrigation pipe, which she became pretty good at, even at a young age and with her small stature. She loved to tell the story of her “Daddy” (as she called him), asking her to help him with a quick irrigation set change, just minutes before one of her first dates with her (future) husband, Keith Dawes. Once getting out on the job, she realized the irrigation water was mixed with the waste water from the family dairy. Her father had a good laugh over this, but to Barbara’s relief, Keith had spent the day working on a spreader truck, himself.

Barbara spent her adult life as a stay-at-home mother in the home she and Keith established in Waukena. She was active in the community 4-H as a sewing teacher, volunteered at the elementary school in the music programs and played the piano at church worship service on Sunday mornings. She and Keith attended the Waukena Community Church for many years and passed along their strong faith in God and the values of living an honest life to their four children. Barbara was a no-nonsense woman; you never had to wonder what she was thinking because she would let you know.

Barbara was preceded in passing by her father, Willard “Bill” Baxley, mother, Ava Baxley, husband, Keith Dawes, sister, Cathy Baxley, daughter, Amy Dawes, father-in-law, Kenneth M. Dawes, and mother-in-law, Barbara C. (Franks) Dawes.

She is survived by her children, Ava “Christy” Dawes, Tim Dawes, and Brandon (Jenn) Dawes, along with her 5 grandchildren: Brock Hansen, Bailey Adler, Grant Hansen, Ava Dawes, and Kaylinn Dawes.

Her wishes were to be cremated and her remains placed at the Visalia Cemetery with her husband, during a private service with her children. A memorial service will take place at the Waukena Community Church on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 10a.m. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to the Waukena Community Church.