Bette Lou Barbee

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of the matriarch of our family, who served as our final bridge to a generation of wisdom and grace. She was the woman who held us all together, after the loss of her much-loved husband Joseph Charles Barbee.

Born on September 12, 1939, she lived a full and vibrant 86 years. She passed away quietly and peacefully on Saturday, January 17, at Ginny’s Place. As the last living parent and grandparent for most of our family, her departure marks the end of an era, but the foundation she laid remains the ground we stand on today.

She was a woman of many talents. For many years, she was a dedicated homemaker, decorating her home while caring for her family. She later worked for many years out at the space center for Martin Marietta and was known for her sharp mind as she played the stock market. In her later years, she found great joy in supporting her local ASPCA and was a friend to all animals, spending her time feeding loads of feral cats around her condo and local stores.

She is survived by her four children: Deborah (Debbie) Fordham and son-in-law James (Jimmy) Fordham; Robert (Bobbo) Buckley and daughter-in-law Deborah (Debbie) Buckley; Sandra (Sandy) Bivona and son-in-law John Bivona; and Joseph (Joe) Barbee and daughter-in-law Anita Barbee.

Her spirit lives on through her eleven grandchildren: Amanda (Mandy) Olson, Jessie Gozevich, Danielle Buckley Park, Holly Buckley, Nicole Ilgen, Denise Porter, Joseph Barbee, Paul Barbee, Heather Bivona, Christina Bivona, and Jonathan Bivona. She also leaves behind fourteen great-grandchildren.

She was the "Grand-General" of our family, the only person who could manage a multi-generational family and a complex stock portfolio with the same steady hand—fueled, as always, by a Diet Dr Pepper. We take comfort in knowing that if there is a heaven for cats, they’ve surely formed a welcoming committee for her arrival, likely with a cold Diet Dr Pepper waiting for her.

Service Information A graveside service will be held on Thursday, January 22nd, at 11:00 am at Brevard Memorial Park, 320 Spring St in Cocoa, Florida.

"Though she has left our sight, her laughter will continue to echo in our hearts, and her lessons will guide us every day."