Barbara Ellen Fowler Privett went to Heaven January 11, 2025 to be with her husband. She was in North Carolina for the Christmas holidays and her family was by her side. She was born October 12, 1930, the third child of Elma Forman Fowler and Peter Fowler in Pittsboro, IN.
The family moved to Bicknell in 1934 so she spent the remainder of her 94 years in Bicknell. She attended 7 grades at West Side School and was a graduate of Bicknell High School in 1948, a proud Bulldog! On December 19th 1948 she married Donald Edward (Dutch) Privett, in the Methodist Church. In 1950 they welcomed their first child, a son, Donald Wayne. Five years later in 1955 they welcomed their daughter, Jane Ellen. The family resided for 45 years on Alton Street before moving to Sixth Street in 1996, where Barbara resided another 29 years.
She and her husband spent 59 years together, until his passing in July of 2008
Barbara was active in her children’s school activities. There she met her special friend Rosalie Shaw. She was President of the PTA and Rosalie the vice-President and enjoyed raising monies for the schools and in contributing to the educational success of the students. Additionally she kept busy with many hobbies. She enjoyed ceramics, sewing, loved to cook, loved to send cards and in later years enjoyed adult coloring. She worked at Crane NAD for ten years. She and her husband later managed Bicknell Manor for 20 years.
Rosalie and Barbara started “Blooming Balloons”. They were known as Barboo and Bubbles during their balloon greeting visits. In 2003 Rosalie and she established a “Red Hat Society” chapter in Bicknell. This generated a number of fun lunches and dinners for members of the group. When she turned 90 she became a published author by writing a true story about her life as a 9 year old. It was published in the magazine, “Back in the Good Old Days”, October 2021.
She loved living in Bicknell and attended the Methodist Church. She had very many special neighbors and friends. Among them were Connie and Cliff Evans, very special neighbors who were instrumental in her living at home and Connie became like another daughter. Also among those who were special were Theresa Volle, Babetta Stuckel and Mona Noonan. Both Guardian Angels and Dr. Kirkwood and his staff provided invaluable care. There are too many to name them all. She was truly blessed by the love and caring of so many wonderful friends.
She is survived by her two children, Donald Wayne Privett of Indianapolis and Jane Ellen Privett Covert (Ronald) of Wake Forest NC; three grandchildren Melissa Covert Neal (Glen) of Lenoir NC, Ryan Covert (Valerie) of Hope Mills, NC and Sarah Covert Terry of Wake Forest, NC and three very precious great-grandchildren, Kyleigh Ellen Neal, Anderson Edward Terry and Lawson Andrew Terry. She was known as Grandma Indiana to the three greats.
Additionally she is survived by Naomi Jamison (Joe), Harold Privett (Alicia), Mable Fowler, and a very special aunt Betty Huse. She also has several nieces and nephews and one BFF Emerson Hess.
Preceding her in death were her husband, her parents, her sister Betty Seaton, her two brothers Pete Fowler Jr. and William (Billy) Fowler.
Funeral services will be celebrated Saturday January 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Duesterberg-Fredrick Wampler Shaw Chapel with Pastors' Keagan Thomas and Steven Rundel officiating
Barbara will be laid to rest by her husband at the Bicknell Memorial Cemetery Memorial contributions may be made to Abilitations Children's Therapy & Wellness Center, INC.,
11030 Raven Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27614. Abilitions is Lawson’s therapy provider and does wonderful work. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Duesterberg-Fredrick Wampler Shaw Chapel is honored to assist Barbara's family during their time of loss.
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Ellen Privett, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
18
Jan
118 N Washington St
Bicknell, IN 47512
Funeral
18
Jan
118 N Washington St
Bicknell, IN 47512
Cemetery Details
Location
Bicknell, IN 47512
Abilitations Children's Therapy & Wellness Center
