Barbara Jane Kear, age 71, of Knoxville, entered into Glory to be with her Lord and Savior on July 10, 2023 after a brief illness. She passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus surrounded by loving family at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Barbara was born on November 27, 1951 in Knoxville, TN to Leonard and Edna Webb.She met the love of her life, Jimmy Kear and they wed on November 18, 1974. They remained happily married until her passing. Barbara worked at Hastings Manufacturing for many years before becoming a handicap bus driver in Blount County. She loved her school bus kids and they loved her! She was a member of New Hopewell Baptist Church where she had an incredible Sunday School class full of amazing friends that she considered family. Barbara loved her family deeply and loved being with them more than anything. Her face would light up when her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren entered the room. She cherished the time she had with each of them. She was an amazing mother, mother-in-law, wife, grandmother, aunt and friend and was loved by so many. She rarely had a harsh word about or to anyone. She loved hummingbirds and would sit and watch them out her window daily. She also loved flowers and was always so excited to get hanging baskets to go outside her window for Mother’s Day or her birthday. Her kids always knew how to make her smile in this way. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Edna Webb, her sister Alma (Susie) Hurst: her brother Junior Webb and brother Brian Monday. Survivors include loving husband of almost 48-years, Jim Kear of Knoxville; daughter Tammy Scrudder (Paul), and granddaughter Haley of Maryville, TN; daughter Melissa Clark (Jimmy), and grandsons Jamie and Chucky (Cora), great grandchildren Andrew, Preston and Rebecca of Knoxville, TN; son Brad (Shannon) Kear and granddaughters Holly and Ellie and grandson Jackson of Knoxville, TN; and daughter Kerrie Haines (Josh) and grandson Thayer of Mount Vernon, KY, as well as brother Craig Monday of Knoxville, TN: sister-in-law, Ila Webb of Seymour; She also leaves behind beloved nieces, nephews and dear friends. The family will receive friends Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 5-7 p.m. at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN, 37920. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. at Berry Funeral Home officiated by her son-in-law, Pastor Josh Haines . Family and friends will meet Sunday July 16, 2023 at New Hopewell Baptist Church for a 1:00 p.m. Interment. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com
