Barbara Jane Colwell fell asleep at the age of 80 on Monday, February 14, 2022 after having suffered the long slow decline of Alzheimer's disease.

Barbara was born December 7, 1941 in Warrensburg, Missouri to William and Rhoda Dodge.

Barbara was a kind soul who wanted to help sick people recover, so she became a candy striper at Warrensburg Hospital in her teen years. Barbara sought after the goal of becoming a registered nurse over many years. At age 19, Barbara was married to Richard Parker Stewart of Columbus, Mississippi. This was a union that would produce six children and last for 20 years, until the passing of Richard on December 20, 1978.

Barbara was very creative as an artist, painting several works of art worthy of an art museum's attention. One, her favorite, she named "Hattie's Shack" where she used a unique technique, mixing baking powder with the paint, to give the characters a 3-D effect. Barbara was also a very talented singer and songwriter. In 1982, Barbara was married to David Colwell of Knob Noster, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Richard; her siblings Joan Engler, Bettie Lorenz, Wilma Erdman, Dorothy Gowin, Donna Dodge, and William Dodge; as well as her grandsons Leonard Hamilton and Richard Hamilton.

Barbara is survived by her husband David; her children Carol Hazard, Wesley Stewart, Perry Hamilton, John Stewart, Nemy Freeman, and Donna Gonzalez; her grandchildren Brett Hamilton, Aaron Stewart, Jacob Stewart, Robert Graff, Harley Graff, Dillon Graff, Samantha Decker, Benjamin Stewart, John Stewart, Krista Salisbury, Kay Kro, Rachael Murray, Cassandra Hazard, Tiffany Jones, David Freeman, and all of their families.

Memorial and graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, 2022 outside of the Pleasant Grove Church (895 SE 200 Rd., Knob Noster, MO 65336). The family will receive visitors from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home (617 N Maguire St., Warrensburg, MO 64093).

"Promises"

Promises I can count on

Promises I can claim.

Promises written in God's word

In Christ Jesus' name.

Deliverance I'm assured of

From sickness and from sin

When I opened up my heart

And let Lord Jesus in.

– Barbara Colwell, 1995