Barbara was born on July 27, 1932 and raised in Keyser, WV to Marshall and Margaret Umstot. She had 7 siblings: Wayne deceased, Bonnie deceased, Sharon deceased, Mary, Glenna deceased, Mike and Jimmy who died at 3 months of age. She graduated from Keyser High School in 1950. In 1954 she met the love of her life, Donald A. Gross Sr at a USO show in Baltimore, MD. They married on March 21, 1954. They lived in various places in Maryland, Miami, California, and New Jersey. They lived in Keyport, NJ from 1966-1997. They have 4 children together: Teresa Gross Ricketts (Gerald), Donald A Gross Jr (Bonnie), Darlene Gross Smith (Darrell, and Douglas Gross (Lisa) and have 11 grand-children and 15 great grand-children.
Barb worked at Bethlehem Steel in Maryland when she and Don met and first married. While raising her children, Barb ran the kitchen at the American Legion in Keyport N.J. for fundraising Bingo nights on Friday's for many years. She was a wonderful baker and cook. In the mid 80's she worked at Bayshore Hospital in housekeeping and then later JFK Hospital in the Central Supply area for 10 years. She retired in 1995 and she and Don moved to Maryville, TN in 1997.
Barb volunteers for WoodmenLife in Maryville and is an active member. She is a Christian and her church home is Foothills Church in Maryville, where she has served ten years as a greeter with her husband Don, and loved everyone.
Barb is full of love and compassion and is very welcoming and accepting of everyone. Over the years, Barb and Don welcomed several people into their home when they needed a temporary place to stay. Family is very important to Barb and she loves to have them near her. She is a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. Many of her children and grandchildren have moved to Maryville to be near her and Don. She especially loves dogs and has always had one or two to love and spoil.
Due to the complications with COVID-19, the services will be private. In the meantime, family and friends are invited to visit the online memorial at www.sherwoodchapel.com to share fond memories of Barbara.
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