Barbara Jean Potter

Barbara Jean Potter, 72, of New Bern, North Carolina, passed away suddenly on October 14, 2025. She was born Barbara Jean Murphy on April 19, 1953, in Lincoln County, Minnesota, to Ernest Arthur Murphy and Lorraine Henrietta Cooper.

Barb graduated from Lakefield High School in Lakefield, Minnesota, and proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force on April 5, 1974, serving her country for over 20 years. Her military career took her across the country and beyond, with duty stations in Hawaii, North Dakota, Nebraska, and California, including overseas deployments. While stationed in Omaha, Nebraska, she pursued her education and graduated from Bellevue University in 1997 with a BA in Business Administration.

After retiring from the Air Force, Barb moved to Garner, North Carolina, where she went on to work for the NC Employment Security Commission. She eventually transferred to New Bern, NC and retired to Havelock, NC to be on the coast, where she could enjoy the water she loved.

A caring and genuine people person, Barb found joy in the simple pleasures of life—swimming, bingo, church, reading Science Fiction, and collecting magnets from the places her family and friends traveled, each one a reminder of the connections she cherished. Her greatest pleasure, however, was the time she spent with her children and grandchildren.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her infant grandson, Jack Potter. She is survived by her children, Jason (Stephanie) Potter and Jamie Potter; grandchildren Luke Potter and Blake Potter; three sisters, Margaret (Joseph) Spears, Linda (Clifford) Cole, and Marcia Murphy; niece Ann Spears; and nephew Chad Cole.

The family will receive friends at Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory, 2201 Neuse Boulevard, New Bern, NC from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025. A memorial service will be held at Cotten Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025. A committal service will follow from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Montford Landing Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Purple Heart Homes, Inc. at https://www.purplehearthomesusa.org/

Cards and expressions of sympathy may be sent to 5 Lyons Mall, PMB 528, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.