Barbara Louise Hite

She is preceded in death by her parents George E. Cox and Meta F. Cox. She is survived by her son, Robert E. Hite III of Greenville TX and her daughter, Nancy E. Hite (husband JT Barker) of Portsmouth VA.

Barbara was born in Columbia TN, but was raised in Nashville TN. She graduated from East Nashville High School in 1954. She then graduated from Saint Thomas School of Nursing in Nashville in 1957 as a Registered Nurse. She initially worked at Vanderbilt Hospital in Surgery but then enlisted and served for two years as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force Reserves. She met her husband, who was an AF Pilot, while in service but then left after having her son. She and her family moved around until settling in Hampton VA. In 1973 she graduated from Depaul Hospital as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). She went on to work in the surgery departments at Mary Immaculate Hospital, Hampton General Hospital, and Riverside Hospital. She then semi-retired and went to work for Dr. Richard Mladick at his plastic surgery practice until she fully retired.

Barbara enjoyed learning new hobbies, such as knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, sewing, cake decorating, and gardening. She especially enjoyed sailing, as she supported her children who were active in the Junior Sailing programs growing up. She eventually would spend most of her weekends out on the water sailing with her close friends.

But Barbara’s primary love, outside of work and her children, was taking care of her numerous pet dogs she had over the years – Brutus (Boxer), Blondie (Boxer), Major (Boxer), Greta (Great Dane), Angel (Boxer), Wanda (Old English Sheep Dog), Sadie (Schnauzer), and Mandy (Schnauzer). She spent her retirement spoiling her last dogs, Sadie and Mandy, who became her “children”.

Barabara did not want a final service, but instead wanted folks to give to their local animal shelters or dog rescues. She always felt like dogs were better than most people and truly wanted them to all have loving homes. So please donate or adopt a fur baby from your local shelter, as there are shelters everywhere that are needing help.