Barbara Barrett

Babs was born on August 11, 1953, in Dublin, Georgia. As a young child, her family moved to Augusta, Georgia. It was in Augusta that Babs met her love, Bob, while they attended different high schools. After she graduated from Glenn Hills High School, Babs attended Georgia Southern University for two years before transferring to Augusta State University. She married Robert B. Barrett on August 3, 1973, one month prior to Bob going to work for Augusta National Golf Club. In January 1978, Bob accepted a position at Shoal Creek Club making Birmingham, Alabama their home where they raised three daughters. Babs enjoyed doing all things to help their daughters reach and achieve personal goals whether athletic or educationally related. Babs loved to travel and was able to visit so many wonderful places around the world with Bob. Her favorite role was being Nana to her grandchildren who claim she made the world’s best pancakes and milkshakes.

Babs was known for her genuine kindness and endless generosity; she was a true believer in unconditional love. From friends and family to doctors and nurses, Babs made an impact on everyone she met. Babs’ family calls her their hero and ultimate fighter for the never-ending strength and endurance she showed during her battle with cancer until her very last day.

Babs lived life to the fullest and was courageous in pursuing her dream of developing ovarian cancer screenings for early detection. She shared with the family and her doctors the desire to truly make a difference in women who experience ovarian cancer. Teal Wings of Hope, an ovarian cancer foundation that raises funds supporting UAB’s Gynecological Cancer Department for research and patient support, was founded to honor Babs’ wishes. Babs had the utmost respect and confidence in Dr. Warner Huh, chair of the UAB Gynecological Oncology Department, and his team. The Barrett family is so appreciative of all he did to give her more time with us.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles William Beaird and Evelyn Corbett Beaird. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Robert B. Barrett; 3 daughters, Jennifer Kiel, Karen Austin (Cliff), Mary Ann Hasabnis (Sanjeev); and 9 treasured grandchildren, Emily Kiel, Allison Kiel, Ethan Kiel, Abby Austin, Ty Austin, Reid Hasabnis, Kameron Hasabnis, Mack Bridges, and Anna Barrett Bridges, all of Birmingham, Alabama. She is also survived by her 2 sisters, Carolyn Beaird and Brownie Redfearn, both of Augusta, Georgia; and by her 2 brothers, Wesley Beaird (Roxane) of Augusta, Georgia and Dean Beaird of Athens, Georgia.

Friends are cordially invited to visit with the family on August 23rd, starting at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The Funeral Mass will commence at 11:00 a.m. with Father Bob Sullivan and Father Tom Guido co-officiating. Immediately following, friends are invited to the celebration of life at the Country Club of Birmingham.

In lieu of flowers, Babs requested with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Teal Wings of Hope located at Post Office Box 430081, Birmingham, Alabama 35243 or to Children’s Harbor located at 434 Children’s Harbor Drive, Eclectic, Alabama 36024.

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.