Barbara A. Barwis

1940 - 2024

Just as the sun was rising on the morning of March 10, Barbara Ann Barwis peacefully passed away at Emory St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. Barbara (Barb) was 83 years old.

Barb was born in Palmerton, Pa., on March 17, 1940, to parents, Anna and Howard Reber. She was raised in this small town and graduated from Stephen S. Palmer High School in 1958. It was during her years in Palmerton that she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Calvin (Cal) Barwis. The two went to college together at Pennsylvania State University. Their college years were filled with many friends and activities, Barb was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority, where she was recognized for her scholastic achievements. She was also named the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Sweetheart in 1959. Barb excelled at Penn State, graduating in just three years with Bachelors of Science degree, which enabled Barb and Cal to begin their post college journey together. They went on to marry in 1961, have three children, and celebrate 54 anniversaries together before Cal's passing in 2014.

Barb and her family moved many times, but spent most of her years in Quakertown, Pa., Kingwood, Texas, and finally Dunwoody, Ga. Barb spent the early years of her career as a teacher, and later worked in the banking industry, holding the positions of teller and branch manager at a variety of banks. Most cherished of all her roles was being a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker.

Barb was active in the Kingwood Women's Club and the Newcomer Women's Club of North East Suburban Atlanta for many years where she held several officer positions including a term as president of the organization. She also continued to support her sorority as an alum and was welcomed into Kappa Delta's White Rose Circle. Barb's interests over the years included playing bridge, bunko, volunteering, cooking, entertaining and taking care of her dogs.

Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband, Calvin Barwis; her mother and father, Anna and Howard Reber; sister, Janet Reber; and daughter-in-law, Mary Davis Barwis. Barbara is survived her son, Robert Calvin Barwis of Dunkirk, Md.; and his three children, John, Robert, and Alexandra; her son, James Scott Barwis of Atlanta, Ga.; his wife, Cheri; and their two children, Calvin and Sarah; her daughter, Jane Louise Barwis of Alexandria, Va.; her brother, Richard Reber of Tampa, Fla.; his wife, Sherry; and their sons, and her great-grandchildren, Bridgette and Savannah, daughters of grandson John Barwis.

Per Barb's wishes, she will be cremated, and a small service will be held for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Heart Association (www.heart.org) or the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org ).