Barbara Jo Hamblen

Mrs. Barbara Jo Hamblen passed away Tuesday January 23, 2024 in Bedford, TX at the age of 67. 

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., August 17, at St. John Catholic Cemetery in Hanover, KS.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Hanover, KS, Barb’s electric smile shined. Barb learned to sew and channeled her abundant creativity into making clothes. Intent on making her way in the world, Barb set out for a new life in Texas where she met her husband of nearly 45 years. Barb gave herself fully to being a wife and mother serving as a homemaker, stay-at-home-Mom and career woman, transforming according to the needs of her family. Barb seemed to do it all and give all in the process.

Epitomizing midwestern grit, Barb taught herself to tile floors, roof houses, install drywall among hundreds of skills she developed in remodeling the family home, determined to live the American dream while raising her two daughters in rural West Texas. Barb fully embodied the saying, ‘you can do anything you set your mind to’.

Barb was a gifted writer and mesmerizing storyteller, talents which were rivaled by her baking, cooking, gardening and DIY house projects. Her creativity and determination seemed endless. She could paint or draw anything, and she provided constant artistic inspiration for her daughters. Committed to intellect and education, Barb imparted a strong love of reading in her daughters that endures in her only grandchild. She also had boundless compassion for animals and a strong sense of wonder about the natural world.

For all who knew Barb, her fierce spirit will live on in our hearts.

Survivors include her husband, Terry Hamblen; daughters Elizabeth Harvey and Jessica Bartig (William); grandchild Isaac Harvey; siblings, Peg King, Francis Reedy, Linda Greenup, Patti Wilson, Becky Willmott and Kathy Mies; and numerous beloved extended family. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elvin and Kathleen (nee Singleton) Reedy; brother Stephen Reedy and sister, Karen Reedy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support the Hanover Public Library. Please make checks payable to: Hanover Public Library in Memory of Barbara Hamblen. Please mail checks to: Hanover Public Library, 205 S Jackson St., Hanover, KS 66945.