Barbara Jane White Schoonover

1926 - 2017

Schoonover, Barbara Jane White 1926—2017
Lovingly we remember Barbara Jane White Schoonover. "Mimi", as she was known to all, was loving, generous, gracious and virtuous. A devoted wife, she met her beloved "Schoonie" (William Arnold Schoonover) on a blind date. She was a Pi Phi at Ohio State, he was an SAE. They fell for each other right away and exchanged letters throughout WWII during his service in the Merchant Marines. In her youth, Mimi was an adventurer-she enjoyed tennis, cycling, sailing, skiing, water skiing, and flying with Schoonie in their red Beechcraft Bonanza. Mimi was a product of another time. Known for her refinement, good taste and perfect manners, she was the consummate lady. Quick with a joke, Mimi kept us laughing. She entertained with style: dinner was served on the good china, and tapered candles added warmth to the dining room. Parrot tulips graced her gardens in spring, roses in summer. Her living room was strewn with blown glass objects which fascinated her grandchildren-and eventually, her great grandchildren. Mimi was a paragon of Christian beliefs and values and she lifted every life that she touched with her love. A lifelong member of Grace Brethren Church, she sang in the choir, led Bible studies and hosted Vacation Bible School in Arlington. Born on January 24,1926 to the late Robert Francis and Betty (Crain) White in Springfield, OH, Mimi is survived by her daughters, Bonnie (Dr. Parker Jarvis) Schoonover Georgia, Betsy (David) Schoonover Forrest and Beverly (Dean) Schoonover Glover, her son, Dr. Reginald (Dr. Frances) Schoonover, her grandchildren, Jennifer (Rich) Georgia Lee, Jason Arnold Georgia, Lynsey (Cliff) Wood, Brendan (Jenelle) Glover, Sarah Forrest, and Carrie, Lucy and Anna Schoonover, and her great grandchildren, Jae, Ava, and James Lee and Micah and Lydia Wood. She joins in heaven her parents, her husband, and her brothers, William and Robert White. If there's tennis in heaven, she is probably up there playing mixed doubles with Schoonie. Friends and family may call at Grace Polaris Church, 8225 Worthington Galena Rd., Westerville, OH 43081 on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 3:00-5:00 pm. The Memorial service is at 5:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be sent to Grace Polaris Church or to Mark and Joy Sims, Missionaries in France and Africa. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.NewcomerColumbus.com