Barbara Jean Jessup

Music was Barbara’s passion. She creatively taught hundreds of children to play the piano and enjoy classical music in her home studio. Barbara was active in the Capital Area Music Teachers Association and was a founding member of the DeWitt Community Singers. She was organist/pianist for Trinity United Methodist Church and accompanied choral groups at DeWitt High School. She was the founder of the DeWitt Music Advocates, Inc. and was president of the DeWitt Vocal Music Boosters from its inception in 1998 to 2006. She was also very active in the Michigan Music Teachers Association. Barbara played hand bells and sang in church choirs wherever they lived. She sang in the Steiner Chorale in Lansing for several years.

Her music education began at home with her mother and continued through a Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy from Southern Methodist University. She was a member of South Church in Lansing and regularly attended Ladies Bible Study. She loved to read and always made family celebrations extra special.

Barbara was born September 14, 1960 in Los Angeles, CA. She arrived in heaven holding Jesus’ hand September 11, 2018. Even after living in Michigan she remained a California girl. Her parents, John Edward Lemmer and Betty Jane Burke Lemmer, currently reside in Willits, CA. She married Donald David Jessup in Bakersfield, CA after they met in Texas. They have three children: Stephen David (Karli Hnetynka) of Chicago, IL; Michael John (Jessica) of Charlotte, MI; and Laura Helen of West Lafayette, IN. Bringing her great joy in her final months was grandson, Henry Walter.

She is survived by her husband, children, grandson, parents, and in-laws, Mary and David Jessup, and siblings, David (Amy) Lemmer, Diane (Dan) Bingley, and Mary (Dan) Zulueta, and sisters-in-law, Cynthia (James) Sewell and Sharon (Brian) Grant.

Barbara’s memorial service will be held at 11:00am on September 21, 2018 at South Church in Lansing, Michigan with Pastor Don Denyes officiating. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, September 20, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests contributions to the Student Incentive Award given by the Capitol Area Music Teachers Association, P.O. Box 1083, Okemos, MI 48864. This organization was close to Barbara’s heart.