Barbara Jean Ireland

Barbara Jean Ireland passed away on February 11, 2025, in Petersburg, Virginia, with loving family members by her side.

Barbara was born on August 30, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio. She was one of four siblings who grew up in the suburbs of Urbana and Hamilton and attended the Methodist church.

Barbara built a life marked by a devotion to God, family, and her dear animals. She retired from a successful career at Ohio Casualty Insurance Company. Over seventy family members across three generations knew her as their beloved Aunt Barbara.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Howard Ireland and Ruby Neal Ireland; her brothers, Neil Ireland and Carl Steven Ireland; and her nephew, Randy Hammel. She is survived by her sister, Bonnie Ireland Hammel; her nephews, Patrick Ireland, Craig Ireland, Ralph Ireland, Core Samuel Ireland, Michael Ireland, and Bryan Hammel; and nieces, Janet Ireland Franz and Barbara Ireland Hobson. In her later years, she was lovingly cared for by her niece, Roberta Hammel.

Barbara was a car and driving enthusiast. After getting her first driver's license, she took an independent cross-country road trip to California. From that point on, Barbara's cars were rarely parked in one spot for long. She relished any opportunity to be with loved ones, near or far. From local neighborhood yard sales to cross country weddings, Barbara came with her sleeves rolled up, ready to walk with us through life's celebrations and tribulations. If there was a new baby to be welcomed, a family picnic to organize, a Virginia Beach timeshare to enjoy, or a batch of Christmas cookies to be baked, Barbara was there.

Barbara Jean was a light to all who knew her, and her legacy will live on in the beautiful memories she left behind.

A funeral service will be held at on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, at 12:30pm. A graveside service will follow at St. Ann Cemetery, in Claremont, Virginia, at 2pm.