Barbara Jean Foss

Barbara Foss, homemaker, mother and doting grandmother, died June 19 as a result of injuries following a fall. Her loving husband of 67 years, Jim Foss, preceded her death by just two months. She was a resident of Brightview Assisted Living in Bel Air.

Originally from Newport News, Va., Barbara and Jim moved to Bel Air in 1962. Over the years, in addition to raising their two sons, she cared for her aging parents, Brandon and Gladys Belote. Her nieces, Kendall and Cindy, would spend many summers with her. In the later years Barbara doted over her grandchildren who still recall the memories of visiting Calvert Cliffs with her to collect sharks teeth plus trips to museums, parks and zoos and valiant attempts to teach them how to play with a yo-yo.

Barbara’s sport was bowling. She was a member of the Bel Air Bowl Women’s League and a member of its 200 and 500 club. Her hobbies included feeding a special group of squirrels and birds who would arrive at her kitchen door each morning in anticipation of her generosity.
A 1951 graduate of Newport News High School, she wrote in its 50-year reunion program, “Living in Bel Air is great. I love every day and my highlight is my grandchildren.”

Barbara is survived by her sister, Jackie Ward of Newport News, Va.; sons Kevin Foss of Bel Air and Eric Foss of Baltimore; grandchildren Samuel Foss of Bel Air, Marine Sgt. Joseph Foss of San Diego, Calif., and Jennifer Foss of Kingsport, Tenn., and three great-grandsons, Wren, De'Angelo, and Elijah.

A private memorial service for family and close friends is planned to celebrate the lives of both Barbara and Jim.