Barbara J. Wells
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Funeral services for Barbara “Barb” J. (Underwood) Wells, 44, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. After a five-year battle with breast cancer, Barb peacefully passed on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family.
Barb was born on August 3, 1974 in Ottawa, KS, the daughter of Gary L. and Sharon (Bennett) Underwood.
She was a graduate of Ottawa High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Baker University where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and a Baker cheerleader.
She worked in advertising sales in the Lawrence community for 20 years with the Lawrence Journal World, Sunflower Cable and most recently as the advertising Sales Manager for Midco. Given her love for the community, she remained active in Lawrence and attended and graduated from Leadership Lawrence in 2017.
Barb’s children were her greatest joy, having never missed a sporting event or dance recital her happiest moments were spent with family. She also loved traveling, boating, snow skiing, attending concerts and besting her family in card games. Barb ultimately appreciated the small things; having her feet in the sand, watching a sunset and enjoying the company of her family and friends. Barb never met a stranger and had a smile that would light up a room.
She married A.R. Wells on June 28, 2003 in Lawrence. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include her mother, Sharon (Bennett) Underwood, Lawrence; father, Gary (Chris) Underwood, Ottawa, son, Vaughn Wells, daughter, Keira Wells; and brother, Kyle Underwood, Denver, CO, In-Laws Randy Wells and Charlotte Lawrenz-Wells and brother-in-law J.D. Wells, Lawrence. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Harold and Julia Bennett and her paternal grandparents, Glenn Underwood, Hazel Underwood and Virginia Underwood.
The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 pm Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Warren- McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Based upon her love of Baker University and her time there a scholarship is being set up in her memory. Memorial contributions may be made to Baker University, the Barb Wells Fund and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Our Deepest Sympathies to the entire family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God’s grace, healing and love be with you all in this very difficult time.
This is beyond sad. My heart aches. The entire family is in my thoughts and prayers, with special consideration for friends Gary and Chris.
So sorry for your terrible loss. I had the pleasure of teaching “Barbie” in the fourth grade. She had the most beautiful smile and was such a happy person. From her photos, she kept that sparkling personality. Your family will be in my prayers.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with the family. May God comfort your hearts at this difficult time.
Please accept my deepest condolences for you and your children. I went to school with Barbie and I can’t think of a single memory of her, not smiling or being happy. I had recently reconnected through Facebook and I enjoyed seeing her beautiful children and it was obvious that they were her greatest joy in life. I wish her nothing but peace and I pray that she rest in Gods grace for eternity.
We are holding your family in our hearts as you remember a truly wonderful person.
Barb was a beautiful soul and the very best kind of human. Kind, compassionate, generous and so funny in the most understated way. She will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. My heart goes out to your family. May your many wonderful memories with her be your guide through this sad time and may she rest easy now.
Barb was such a special person and will be missed by so many. Her personality always shined through and she was always so thoughtful and caring of everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family and may your many special memories help you through this difficult time. I always enjoyed working with her at Sunflower and Journal-World.
To the family our prayers and sympathy in the homegoing of “Barbie “. She was a wonderful young woman who impacted all she encountered. She leaves a legacy of living life to its fullest and appreciation of the small things. Trust in the Heavenly Father He promised yo
Never leave or forsake us especially in our season of grief. Bestrwngthen by His love
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to all her family. She will always be Barbie, as that’s my best memory of her. I wish strength and love to her husband, children and all who love her
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Barb over 20 years ago. What a wonderful person who always met you with a smile. My heart goes out to her family.
We are so heartbroken, and will keep all of Barb’s family in our prayers. Her kind and generous spirit touched so many; she will truly be missed.
To me, Barbie will always be that wide-eyed Baker undergraduate with an unmatched enthusiasm for adventure and other people. I will forever remember sharing one of those adventures with her (SCUBA diving in Grand Turk) and her contagious smile when she held a newly hatched sea turtle in her hands. In fact, I can’t remember her face without that smile. I am fortunate to be able to have those memories to reflect upon. And I hope with all my heart that all of her family and friends who have shared far more with Barbie, cherish their own wonderful memories and that they sustain you all during this time of grief and sadness. Good bye, Barb!
I had the pleasure of having Barbie in my freshman English class at Ottawa High School and in my home to babysit my son. She was a conscientious student, kind person, and fun young lady. May your many cherished memories bring you comfort and strength during this difficult time.
Please accept our condolences on your loss. She sounds like she was a beautiful person, inside and out and a very special friend to many. Our prayers are with you and the family.
We will forever remember her sweet infectious smile, laugh and her competitive spirit – especially with AR !!!! What a joy to have been blessed to be a small part of her big life. Love and prayers Vern & Lorie
Barb was just the best…. I was lucky to known her.
Thinking of you at this difficult time with deepest sympathy
Heartbroken by the news sending blessings and hugs please know she will always be there watching from the other side
Janie (Knight) Wolf.
I’m holding you so close in my heart. The pain never goes away. You just learn to live with it. To my dear friend, Sharon, words are so hard to find at a time like this. You were a fantastic Mom and gave so much to your children. I love you, my friend.
So sorry for your loss. She had a sweet spirit. Blessings to the whole family. Thinking of Kyle and Gary especially at a difficult time.
Bob and Joyce Green
My deepest sympathy as you remember Barb. Prayers for comfort and peace as you celebrate her life.
We’re so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with the family. May God comfort your hearts at this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathy to the family for your untimely and tragic loss of a beautiful young woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am so terribly sorry for the whole family’s loss! Barbie was such a joy to be around, and I loved getting to know her at OHS! She always went “the extra mile” in everything she did and in all her activities, and she was so kind to all her classmates. There is nothing harder to bear than losing your child too early. Holding you in my thoughts, Sharon, and praying for you and Gary and Kyle!
So terribly sorry for your loss! PRAYING for all of your family! May you feel God’s presence and treasure the beautiful memories!
I’m so very sorry SHARON. I’m just seeing this this morning… she looks just like you Sharon…. I just can’t imagine loosing a child – God needed her – she’s now home with no more pain – she has her wings …
I pray God will give you and your family comfort and peace …. God Bkess ????????❤️
Hear broken by the News.Thinking of you at this difficult time. Our Prayers are with you! She will be Miss
To the family , our prays and deepest condolence to the lost of a great person. I had the pleasure of graduating high school with Barbie. She was always positive , supportive, smiling & a great friend. She will truly be missed and it is an honor to have crossed paths with Barbie Underwood! God Bless!
Dear Underwood family, Kevin and I are so sorry for your loss. We cannot imagine the pain you must feel at her passing. We pray God will hold you in His arms during this difficult time.
I knew Barb from watching her children at Princeton Children’s Center. Saying that she was a phenomenal mom is an understatement. I’m sad to hear this and have Kiera and Vaughn in my thoughts. What a great family and a horrible loss.
I met Barb when I was taken care of Keira and Vaughn at Princeton Children’s Center. Sending thoughts, condolences, and Prayers for the family at this difficult time.
Don and Dena Irvin
Our deepest sympathy to all who loved Barb so much. Special prayers for her husband, children, parents, and all family members. I also pray for her many friends, thinking today of Clay, Megan, and Jalen Morse, who loved Barb and enjoyed special memories with her.
Sharon, I am so sorry to hear of your loss! I pray that God can help you through this very difficult time. You and your family are in my prayers.
Barb worked for me in the financial aid office at Baker. She was a joy to work with, and really could light up a room. I live in Ottawa, and have fun memories of discussing the local news with her, at work. My condolences to her family.
Keira, your mother loves you so much she will always be looking down at you. She loved you very much. She was so young, I can;t imagine how you must feel. I love you so much Keira, I will always be here to support you xoxoxo
My condolences to your family.