Barbara Reams Haws Jilton passed away on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. She was born in Talbot, Tennessee on July 27, 1933 to the late Robert L. Reams and Anna Mae Murr Reams. She was predeceased by her husband, Ned D. Jilton, Sr., her brother Bobby Reams, and by Grace and Lyle Haws who were like parents to her.
Jonesborough and Johnson City were always home to her, where she lived a rich, full, and abundant life. A graduate of Jonesboro High School and East Tennessee State University; she taught English and Language Arts for over thirty years at Jonesborough Middle School; she loved young people and was honored as Teacher of the Year for Washington County. She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
A member of the Jonesborough Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, Barbara loved her church family. She served as an elder, was a member of the Shalom Circle, the Granny Broyles Sunday School Class, and volunteered tirelessly at the church whenever there was a need or a celebration. Singing alto in the church choir was another joy she had, and she could still harmonize in these last few weeks when words wouldn’t come to her. A beacon of health and vitality for most of her life, she loved her family, friends, the jitterbug, college football, the Atlanta Braves, and any kind of music. She lived her life to the fullest. Her faith in God and love for all people without reservation was an example to all who knew her. Barbara’s children and grandchildren will miss her teasing, joking, and loving devotion to them. She is survived by her daughter Laura Haws Williams and Bob (son-in-law) of Charleston, SC; her son Frank P. Haws, Jr. and Judy (daughter-in-law) of Johnson City; her daughter Angela Haws Poole of Lexington, KY; and one step-son Ned D. Jilton, Jr. of Gray. She was an amazing grandmother to seven grandchildren, Judith Smith (Charleston, SC); Sam Correll (Prosper, TX); Caroline Gebhardt (Atlanta, GA); Larry Poole (Katy, TX); John Lyle Poole (Lexington, KY); Hank Haws (Tampa, FL); Kaley Haws (Johnson City); and nine great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include her sister Julia Clark (Johnson City), sister-in-law Judy Haws Hash (Colonial Heights), niece Renee Clark Sherer, and nephew Dr. Rob Hash. She also leaves special friends Ashley Haws Guyton, Meredith Haws Balasco, Angelique and Mitch Skaggs, Lynn Haren, Charlene and Bill Allen, Helen Conger, Corinne Parnell, Elvin and Hank Little, Betty Mitchell, and Caroline Hill.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Barbara Reams Haws Jilton will be held at Dillow Taylor Funeral Home on Tuesday, Feb. 28th; family will receive friends from 5pm to 7pm, and funeral service will follow. She will be laid to rest at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Jonesborough on Wed., March 1st at 11am.
Active pallbearers will be her grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Dalmer Cavin, Joel Conger, Sam Haren, Bob Hash, Dr. Frank Haws, Elvin Little, Henry Marable, Sam Mitchell, Dr. Clay Renfro, Jimmy Rhein, Joe Wilson, Kelly Wolfe, and Pat Wolfe.
The family would like to extend special thanks for the loving caregivers in the skilled nursing wing at Cornerstone Village and to the caregivers from Avalon Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Jonesborough Presbyterian Church, the Ronald McDonald House or to the charity of your choice.