Barbara Joan Carswell

Barbara Joan Carswell, lovingly known as Joan, Joanne, Mama, Grandmama, and Ganny to her family and friends, left this world on a peaceful note after a valiant journey with dementia. Joan was born on August 9, 1937, in the quaint town of Cataula, Georgia, and she departed from us in Columbus, Georgia, surrounded by her four children with the love and memories of a life well-lived.

Joan was a proud graduate of Baker High School Class of 1955, where she laid the foundation for a life of learning and service. Her journey as a military wife spanned four years; a role she embraced with the same dedication and love that she would later pour into her most cherished vocation as a mother of four and a homemaker. In her later years, Joan joined the workforce at United Cities Gas Company, where she enjoyed a fulfilling career until her retirement.

Beyond her professional life, Joan served in her church and community. Joan's faith was an integral part of her life, and she participated in Bible Studies with devotion, served meals to those in need through Meals on Wheels, and supported the backpack ministry for children. Her volunteer work at the Amos Cancer Center earned her a pin in recognition of her many years of dedicated service. Joan also volunteered as a poll worker with elections. She was a gifted seamstress, an avid reader, and enjoyed neighborhood walks as a way of maintaining her health.

Joan loved to travel with her husband, Jimmy. Together, they explored various places all over the country. The beach held a special place in her heart and she cherished the trips there with her children and grandchildren. The women's trips with her daughters were filled with laughter and bonding and her activities with friends brought much joy to her life. Joan's family was her pride and joy.

She is preceded in death by her late husband, Jimmy Carswell; her brother, Ronald Hall; her son-in-law Jerry Hobbs; and her grandson, Bradley Parham. Her love and legacy continue to thrive through her survivors, Pat Hobbs of Dublin, Georgia; Lynn Parham (Jiles) of Conyers, Georgia; Stephen Carswell (Suzanne) of Woodstock, Georgia; and Amy Taff (Jamey) of Pine Mountain, Georgia. Her spirit is further carried on by her thirteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, each of whom she loved and adored.

Joan's life was a tapestry of love, service, and joy of simple pleasures. Her legacy is not only in the lives she touched, but also in the quiet moments of kindness, the family traditions she cherished, and the spoken and unspoken wisdom she shared. Her presence will be profoundly missed, yet her memory will continue to inspire and comfort those who were fortunate enough to know her.

As we bid farewell to Barbara Joan Carswell, we hold tight to the memories and the love she shared so generously. Her life was a testament to the beauty of faith and dedication, the strength of compassion, and the importance of family. Though she has embarked on her final journey, the echoes of her laughter and the warmth of her love and smile remain with us, guiding us through the days ahead. Joan's was a life truly well-lived and her spirit will forever be etched in the hearts of those who loved her.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Striffler Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907. A Visitation for Family and Friends will be one hour prior. Burial will be private.