Barbara Jewel Hail

Barbara Jewel Hail passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of October 22, 2022, next to her loving husband Donald.

Artist, musician, and registered nurse, Barbara Hail loved all things Elk Creek, California: rocks, roses, old time music, and above all, Donald Hail - her husband of 65 years. She met him when she was 16. He'd hitchhiked from Texas to Elk Creek, looking for work in logging at 19 years old. He initially slept under a big cottonwood tree next to Stoney Creek, on land they would later buy and build a home, some 37 years later. At the time, Barbara lived across the creek and was introduced to Donald by her brother Charles. They married soon thereafter and were never apart.

Born in Bigelow, AR, on March 23, 1940, Barbara is survived by her husband, Donald Hail; daughter, Rene Stwora-Hail and her husband, Stephen Stwora-Hail of Sacramento, CA; granddaughter, Chelsea Saukko and her husband, Blake Saukko also of Sacramento, CA; and her loving and true brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Randy McKinney of Flushing, MI.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lola and Jack McKinney, and her siblings, Preston McKinney, Billy Jack McKinney, Ellen McKinney, Margaret (Jean) Lord and her husband, Earl Lord, and Wanda McKinney.

Donations may be made in tribute to Alzheimer's Association, at alt.act.org.