Beatrice “Bea” Kay Barker Howell passed away peacefully Thursday, September 21, 2023, at her home in Nauvoo, Illinois at the age of 80. She was a beloved Wife, Mother and Granny.
Bea was born February 11, 1943, in Logan, Utah to loving parents William Vermont “Mont” Barker and Rozella Laursen Barker and raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and remained active serving in many calling throughout her life. She was the 4th Child in the family. She was a gentle and loving person her whole life. She loved her Heavenly Father and her Savior Jesus Christ and always tried to live a Christlike life and set an example to those around her. She grew up in a loving home with wonderful siblings, three of whom have proceeded her in death: DeLores Barker Yonk (Nolan Yonk), Eugene “Gene” Barker (Afton Swenson Barker), Carol Barker Christensen (Halbert “Hal”) Christensen. She has one surviving sibling: Nola Barker Fenstermacher (Ronald “Ron” Fenstermacher). She is survived by her precious children: Andrea Garcia, Daren Richards, Michael “Mike” Garcia (Joy Garcia), Monica Garcia Bernal (Michael Bernal) and Adam Garcia. Her grandchildren: Kassi Garcia, Kory Garcia, Kristopher Garcia, Konner Garcia, Ken Richards, Alexa Richards, Mychal Joy Garcia.
She had so many great talents she was an amazing dancer and especially loved tap dancing, played the piano and she had a beautiful singing voice. In High School she was also known as a sharpshooter and served in the ROTC. She loved sewing, embroidery of any kind, her Russian embroidery was amazing, and she could do any craft you could think of. She was always learning and studying and making sure she was always involved in her church and community. She was a Genealogy expert who did so much Family History. Plus served on the Grand Jury in Redding, California. for two years until she moved to Nauvoo, Illinois after she married John Howell on November 22, 2013, in Redding, California. She was a world traveler. She loved to do Jigsaw puzzles while visiting with friends.
She served in six Missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Baltimore, Maryland, Hawaii at the Polynesian Cultural Center, A Family History Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah, Heber Valley Camp twice, and Cambodia.
Per her wishes, no services are being planned.
Memorials may be made in her memory and mailed to the family at: Schmitz - Banks & Beals Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Nauvoo, Illinois 62354.
Schmitz - Banks & Beals Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences to the family may be left at www.sbbfuneralhome.com.
