Barbara Joy Jarvis

1940 - 2025

Meridian - Barbara Joy Cook Jarvis was born December 1, 1940 to Joseph Leo Cook and Eva Lucille Goodson in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was the oldest of four children.

One of her earliest memories was running into her father's arms as he returned from service in World War II. She was five years old. Another memory was being baptized at age eight by someone other than her father because her baby brother was born the same day.

Other fond memories included family camping trips, playing with her siblings and cousins, and spending holidays at her Grandma and Grandpa Goodson's farm. It was literally "over the river and through the woods" and made for a wonderful childhood.

She attended grade school and high school in Shelley and Idaho Falls, Idaho graduating in 1959. She attended Brigham Young University (BYU) studying art and German. She enjoyed art throughout her entire life, and many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren cherished learning painting and drawing from her.

While at BYU, she was courted by a certain David LaVerl Jarvis from Nampa, Idaho. They fell in love and were married December 7, 1962 in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They set up housekeeping in Nampa, Idaho and eventually settled, in 1965, on a 40-acre farm on the southwest corner of Chinden Boulevard and Eagle Road. Here they raised their nine energetic and very individual children - Michael, Daniel, Mark, Ann, Susan, Joseph, Matthew, Joy and Jennifer. In 1998, David and Barbara moved to Eagle as their farm gave way to subdivisions.

Barbara was a master organizer and homemaker. She perfected the art of preparing food for and managing her family of 11. Each of her children have contributed to society in their own unique way. To date, 103 people call her Mom, Grandma or Great-grandma.

Barbara was always an active and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in various church callings including Ward and Stake Relief Society President for many years. From February 2006 to August 2007, David and Barbara served a mission in the Brazil South Area. Six weeks after they returned from their mission, her beloved David passed into the next life. She missed him deeply for the next 17 years.

Even though Barbara missed David, she filled her life with service to her children and her church. She spent several years serving in the Meridian and Boise Temples. In 2020, she suffered a stroke. This brought some physical challenges to her life, but her spirit was not hampered in the least. She continued in her life-long pursuits of organization, gardening, sewing, knitting, music, reading and art. She turned her backyard into a veritable "food forest" and has given many of her posterity a tour of her life's experience in the field of dreams that she created in her backyard.

On February 17, 2025, surrounded by family, Barbara passed serenely into the next life where she was re-united with her beloved David.

She was preceded in death by her husband David and her great-granddaughter Brinley Jarvis. She is survived by her siblings Annalee Nelson, Roger Cook and Pam Tenney; her children Mike (Laura Cabanillas), Dan (Evelyn Martin), Mark (Sheri Stalworth), Ann (Mike Passey), Susan, Joe (Angie Craner), Matt (Suzanne Anderson), Joy (Jared Raymond) and Jenni (Tim Stafford); 49 grandchildren and spouses; and 36 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 6-8 PM at Summers Funeral Home (3629 E Ustick Rd, Meridian, Idaho). A viewing will be held from 10-10:45 AM and funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Verona Ward (7135 N Linder Rd, Meridian, Idaho). Burial will follow at the Meridian Cemetery.