Barbara Jean Watts

Barbara Jean "Jean" Watts, 94, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026. Born on July 1, 1931, in Independence, Missouri, Jean lived a life marked by love, dedication, and meaningful contributions.

Jean graduated from Raytown High School in 1948 and began her career as a telephone switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone. She later worked in accounts payable for RISS Trucking. Alongside her late husband, Bob Watts, Jean co-owned and operated a Hobby Shop on Main Street just off of the Liberty Square which the established just after moving to Liberty in 1955. When they moved to their home on Orchard Street, they opened the first of two cherished bicycle shops: Bob's Bikes in Liberty and later Crown Cyclery at Crown Center in Kansas City. These businesses reflected their shared passion for cycling and their dedication to fostering community connections. After retirement, Bob and Jean both worked diligently in their advocacy for bicycle and pedestrian rights to enable people without a car a safe way to get to work, in multiple planning sessions, both at the city level in Liberty and with MARC and at the state level.

As a devoted wife to Bob during his service in the United States Air Force, Jean supported him throughout his career at TWA while nurturing their family with strength and care. Together, they found joy in tandem bicycling and square dancing. Nearly every vacation they planned together involved bicycling, whether in Europe, at the Midwest Tandem Rallies, RAGBRAI, or square dancing, even though Jean didn't learn how to ride a bicycle until she was 37 years old!

Jean was a woman of many talents. She found fulfillment in gardening, sewing, and cooking. Jean found beauty in nature, whether in the butterfly garden she and Bob built, or in nature's offerings - wild grasses, flowers, even dandelions. She extended this ability to see beauty and worth in even the most humble to the people she encountered every day. Her sewing skills were extraordinary; she lovingly crafted her daughter Amy’s prom dresses and wedding gown, as well as numerous square dance dresses. In the kitchen, her fried chicken became legendary among those fortunate enough to enjoy it, and a Depression-era mayonnaise cake became a family staple. Halloween and St. Patrick's day became family traditions on par with national holidays under Jean as the family matriarch, long before they were celebrated by the general public. Chili and donuts were the staple for Halloween, and her Irish Stew was called for every year by children, in-laws, and grandchildren alike.

A dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church in Liberty, Jean cherished mornings spent reading works by Pope Francis and Mother Teresa while enjoying her coffee—reflecting her admiration for their teachings on compassion and equity. When the church opened a day-care program, she first volunteered, then joined the staff, a job she loved very much, and which also allowed her to indulge in her love for children's books. She created an enviable collection of them, many of which were autographed for her by the author and/or illustrator, whom she met by attending Reading Reptile's DNA Litfest multiple years.

Jean is survived by her children: Sandy Kitahara; Dennis Watts (Martha (Marty) Burns); and Amy Malone (Michael); her grandchildren: Bryan Kitahara; Matthew Kitahara (Rebecca (Becky)); Sarah Rotert (Christopher); Christopher Kitahara (Katharine (Katie) Benz-Schwer); Andrew Kitahara (Sneha Gaitonde); TJ Watts (Cassie); and Nicholas Malone; and her great-grandchildren: Emery Kitahara; Joselyn Kitahara; Addelyn Kitahara; Abigail Rotert; Kylie Rotert; Eric Rotert; Benjamin Rotert; Emma Watts; Blake Watts; Kota Kitahara; Cal Kitahara; Penelope Malone; Phoebe Malone; and Ares Michael Malone. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob Watts.

A visitation will be held on July 8, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Newcomer's Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home, 119 East Franklin Street, Liberty, Missouri. A memorial service will follow at the same location from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. A committal will take place at Blue Springs Cemetery, 220 Southwest 26th Street, Blue Springs, Missouri, from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM.

Jean’s memory will forever be cherished by those who knew her. May her legacy of love and compassion inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BikeWalkKC, 1106 East 30th Street, Suite G, Kansas City, Missouri 64109 (BikeWalkKC.org/GetInvolved/Donate/), First Presbyterian Church of Liberty, 138 North Main Street, Liberty, Missouri 64068 (FPCliberty.org/Donate/Church), or Hillcrest Hope, 200 West Mill Street, Liberty, Missouri 64068 (HillcrestHope.org/End-Homelessness/Donate).