Barbara Ann Caraway

Barbara Ann Caraway, 79, of Safety Harbor, Florida, passed peacefully with her family at her bedside on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Evergreen Manor Assisted Living Facility. She was born February 28, 1937, in Portsmouth, Ohio to Martha Samson. She was raised by her mother along with the loving support of her grandmother, aunts, and uncles. She attended school in Dayton, Ohio where she graduated with the class of 1954. She served in the Navy at the Pentagon where she met Bob at the Officer’s Club sometime in 1961. She also said she would never marry a farmer, and later said, “never say never”! She was united in marriage to Robert Caraway in Dayton, Ohio in 1962, and made their home outside of Lexington, Nebraska by Johnson Lake. Barb was welcomed to Nebraska by the “Southsiders” where she found some of the most genuine and caring people on earth who would become lifelong friends. They were blessed with four children; Karen, Connie, John, and Alan. Barb loved being a mother, and found herself going to many piano recitals, ballet practices, and basketball games throughout the years. She would later be going to four weddings for each of their children in Florida. After the children were raised she worked as the secretary at St. Ann’s Catholic Church for several years. She volunteered at the hospital gift shop and was active in the community with many organizations. Monthly luncheons kept her active and connected with her girlfriends. Bob and Barb decided to finally move to Safety Harbor, Florida in 2014 after much persuasion by their children. This next chapter of life, being Grandma to her grandchildren was the joy of her life. She was always ready to share her life lessons and stories with the next generation. Barb is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob) of Safety Harbor, Florida, two daughters, Karen (David) McCrae of Palm Harbor, Florida, Connie (Dean) Smith of Tarpon Springs, Florida; two sons, John (Stacy) Caraway of Safety Harbor, Florida, and Alan (Cari) Caraway of Lutz, Florida; eight grandchildren, RD (Mary), Derek, Shanna, April, Annabelle, Colton, Logan, and Landon; eight great-grandchildren; Rene’, Damian, Grace, Faustina, Caleb, Nathan, Natalie, and Ryan; sister-in-law, Patricia Moon of Lexington, Nebraska. Also surviving are nieces, Terri (Dale) Fritz of Wilber, Nebraska, Jean (Tom) Ackerman of Scottsdale, Arizona, Sandra (Steve) McDonald of Firth, Nebraska, and Lorri (Erv) Warner of Arapahoe, Nebraska. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Martha Samson, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and her brother-in-law, James (Bud) Moon. It was Barbara’s wishes for cremation. There will be no visitation. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 4, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Espiritu Santos Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, Florida with Reverend Father Brad Reed celebrating. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington, Nebraska with Reverend Father Jose Chavez celebrating. Inurnment will be in held in the St. Ann’s Cemetery at Lexington. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations made in her memory to: National Parkinson’s Foundation at (https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/SPageNavigator/donate_form.html) or Empath Suncoast Hospice at (http://empathhealth.org/get-involved/donate/). Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington, Nebraska is assisting the family with local arrangements. To share online condolences, please visit: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.