Barbara Hurlbert

She began life’s journey at the beginning of the Depression, the oldest daughter born into a humble, close-knit Indiana family—parents Wilbur and Pearl Trennepohl, sisters Lou Ann and Sue. Growing up in the Midwest and coming of age during World War II instilled in her a deep love of family, country and God. A move to Mobile, Alabama with her parents after graduation introduced her to both the working world and to a handsome young college instructor named Don Hurlbert who worked in her building.
Their marriage on March 30, 1951 was the beginning of a wonderful life as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, living in a half dozen cities around the country and raising six children: Don III, David, Doug, Michael, Deborah and Dina.
She often said Charlotte, North Carolina was her favorite, having made long-lasting friendships there. But her greatest joys were her children. She followed them closely through every grade to college graduation; served as their chauffeur, counselor, cook extraordinaire, cheerleader and confidante; and made each of them feel as if they were the most important person in the world.
She loved long phone chats, large family get-togethers, especially at Christmas, and big vacations along ocean beaches. Her large collection of old greeting cards and photographs from many years allowed her to relive happy celebrations, and each year she added another tiny figure to her growing village of Hummels. She had a special love for babies and little children, but especially her own grandchildren: Kacy, Erin, Adelaide, Caroline, Anna, Jack, Avery, Ryan, Alex, Jenna and great grandchild Addie. She said that the years she spent helping in the care of her grandbabies, one by one, as they were born, were the happiest times of her life.
She was talkative but soft-spoken; quietly proud of her family but also a fierce defender when she needed to be; a lover of fashion but always unassuming and modest. She saw the best in everyone and taught her children to do good, reach for the stars and always treat people fairly and without prejudice. She was the wisest, most caring friend of her expanding family and host of friends ever had.
In her later years, even after arthritis and sciatica limited her mobility, she retained the personality we all knew and loved--a warm smile, twinkling in her eyes, always shedding a tear after we visited, knowing it might be weeks or months before she would see us again. Above all, she loved her husband, Don. Their lifetime of adventures and devotion to each other -- three days short of their 74th anniversary-- was a model for all of us.
On the evening of December 17,1950, while young people presented the church service, she accepted Christ following Don’s sermon. She always said it was the hallmark of her Christian Life.
With Don by her bedside, Barbara joined Christ’s Kingdom peacefully during the early morning of March 27, 2025. She awaits her ever widening family circle and--all those who love her Lord-- to join her.