Barbara Ann Denmat

Barbara Ann Denmat August 28th, 1928 – November 13th, 2024 Barbara Ann Denmat peacefully passed away on the afternoon of November 13th, 2024, at the age of 96, with the love of her family surrounding her. She was held in the embrace of her daughter, Eve, her son-in-law, Heath, and her cherished granddaughters, Rachel Marie and Morgan Paige. Barbara was born in Portland, Maine, on August 28th, 1928. In the late 1940s she served in the Air Force, humorously admitting that she enlisted “to find a husband”–and find one she did. She built a family, raising four children: her twin sons John and David, youngest son Edmond, and daughter Eve. Barbara’s life journey took her over 1,200 miles from her birthplace to the heart of Alabama. Her daughter Eve was swept away by Alabama’s charm (with a little help from a Georgia boy named Heath), and Barbara followed soon after. At 81 years old, she wasn’t just moving—she was sprinting through the airport with her granddaughter Rachel, catching a flight toward her next great chapter in Guntersville, Alabama. Barbara made Alabama her home in 2010, settling in Guntersville, where she embraced the community and grew to love it deeply. In 2018, she moved in with Eve and Heath in Grant, Alabama, where she remained until her passing. She was a dedicated reader of "The Advertiser Gleam", sending clippings of her favorite articles up north to friends who dearly missed her. She found joy in the words of Angela Otts, Anthony Campbell, Randy Troup, and most especially, Sean Dietrich—whose stories she followed with great delight. Barbara’s life was filled with love, adventure, and an undeniable vitality that carried her through a truly impressive number of years. She will be remembered for her warmth, humor, sass, and the way she embraced each life chapter with open arms. She was never much for holding a grudge but would always have a knowing smirk and tongue-in-cheek remark waiting for you just to keep you on your toes. Barbara loved to crochet beautiful afghans for everyone she knew, read novels, keep up with her many exciting television programs, tend to plants, listen to her CDs, complete puzzles, cook delicious meals and treats, drink boxed wine, keep her home in absolute perfect order, and display her signature cursive through many letters to her friends and family. Visits with her would often include sitting on the front porch and feeling the breeze (as she'd remind you to "breath in that fresh air"), dreaming about what you'd do with a million dollars together, having a little drink, complaining about local or world events in an emphasized Maine accent, and laughing until you have tears in your eyes. To know Barbara was simply to love her. She will be missed dearly by all that had the joy of knowing her. Barbara was predeceased by her parents John Waterman Jones and Anna Andersen Jones of Portland, ME, her brothers Lloyd Jones of Portland, ME, and John "Jackie" Jones of Jasper, GA. She is survived by her 4 children, several grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Barbara Ann Denmat

August 28, 1928 - November 13, 2024