BOMBER MEMORIAL

VIRGINIA MILDRED "JINNY" BARNETT HOWSER ~ Class of 1962
December 28, 1943 - February 6, 2018



Jinny Howser was born in Corvallis, OR on December 28, 1943, to William and Juanita Barnett. When she was about five years old, her family moved to Richland where she lived until her death on February 6, 2018, from a courageous three year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Her final days were spent surrounded by loving family and devoted friends. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Franklin Leo Garrett in 1963; her parents; her brother, Lyle; and her second husband, Wilbur James Howser ('57 honorary).

She worked at Hanford for 30+ years, working her way up from truck driver to manager, retiring in 2006 to enjoy traveling with Wilbur as well as many other hobbies. Jinny and Wilbur knew each other since childhood and were married for 53 years, until Wilbur’s death from pancreatic cancer. They were examples of love and perseverance and remained together for better and for worse, in sickness and in health. Through their example, we learned that marriage is a loving, messy, joyful, difficult, fun and often humorous, adventure.

Jinny loved a good book, often reading two or three at a time. Her love of reading certainly inspired her love of travel. She was ready and willing to go just about anywhere, always taking her camera and never being overly concerned about a wrong turn. To her, a wrong turn was “the scenic route,” where she might discover something new. She also had a passion for gardening and enjoyed many sunny days tending to a plethora of beautiful flowers. In her later years, especially after retirement, she picked up card making and scrap booking and thoroughly enjoyed the hunt for new paper or the latest cricut designs. She shared her hobby with her dear friend, Jean Oversby. We cannot thank Jean enough for her unwavering support. Even when Jinny’s health began to fail and she didn’t always have the energy to go and do, Jean was by her “buddy’s” side, until the end. We are SO grateful.

She was “Mom” to many. Over the years, she generously took in a few wayward teenagers. Some stayed for a day or two and some, for a year or two. There were two rules. First, “Call your parents and let them know where you are and that you’re safe.” Second, “You’re not going to lay around and watch TV. You will go to school, get a full-time job, or join the military.” Her home was “that” home, the home with a revolving door where all were welcome. Most of all, Jinny enjoyed the time she spent with her family. She was a stoic woman, not overly “mushy” or affectionate but deeply loved her family and would send loving, handmade thank you notes and cards, expressing her love and appreciation. She took great pleasure in being a grandmother and a great grandmother and was beyond excited to hear about her newest great grandson, who will be arriving this summer. She loved having family barbeques around the swimming pool, watching the grandkids and great grandkids enjoy a game of swimming pool basketball or watching a Seahawk game with the entire family in the Hawk’s Nest.

There are so many people who stood close, through all the ups and downs of life. Thank you, Aunt Charlotte, for being there when things were especially difficult; for being her friend, companion, and confidant for many, many years; for being such a loving, calm voice amidst the chaos; for watching and enjoying WWE wrestling with Mom. Thank you, Sue Jewitt, for lending a helping hand when we needed it and for bringing along your joy and humor, during some very difficult times. Thank you, Jim Jewitt, for being such a valuable resource and trusted “car guy.” Jim and Sue, thank you, for being wonderful travel companions and great friends, to Mom and Dad. To Liv Gibbons, thank you for your calming words, thoughtful prayers and loving heart. Mom loved and appreciated her PCM nurses who were by her side, 24/7, for the past three years. Our family cannot thank these loving, caring, and compassionate nurses enough for the care they showed Mom and our entire family. You are forever, family. We are especially thankful to Nurse Beverly Chandler, for her humor, love and care and for fulfilling the promise she made to Mom, to be there to the end.

Jinny is survived by her four children: Tana (John) Payne, Tara (Rich) Reed, Marty Howser and Mandy (Brett) Meyer; grandchildren: Brooks (Dana) Payne, Kasey Payne, Brandon (Kindra) Reed, Kaylon Reed, Taylor Reed, Riley Howser, Tait Meyer and Jared Meyer; great grandchildren: Jaidyn, Cade and Miller Reed, Silas Reed and Baby Boy Payne. She is also survived by her brother, Daniel Barnett, and her sister-in-law and dear friend, Charlotte (Lyle) Barnett.

Inurnment was held at 1 pm on April 7, 2018, at Resthaven Cemetery on Williams Blvd. in Richland. A Celebration of Life was held at 2:00 pm at Northwest United Protestant Church, 1312 Sacramento, in Richland. A potluck reception followed in the church’s fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Northwest United Protestant Church Youth Group Fund. The family requested that guests wear their favorite shade of blue, Mom’s favorite color. Please, bring your street rods!

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NOTE: Her brother, Daniel Barnett ('57), passed away on October 20, 2018.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).