Barbara DeVore looking left smiling

A Tribute to Barbara DeVore

I created this tribute page to honor my grandmother, Barbara. She has consistently inspired me with her incredible work ethic, her loving nature, and her deep commitment to family. So without further ado, I invite you to enjoy this tribute page dedicated to an incredible woman.

A Life of Hard Work

Born in August 1943, Barbara was the first redhead born in the "new" Ritzville hospital, one of seven siblings. After graduating from Lind High School in 1961, she earned two scholarships to beauty school and chose Spokane, later earning her cosmetology license. In her fifties she went back to school at Big Bend College, completing her accounting and management classes with a 3.8 GPA and a 4.0 in every English class she took. Her working life was as full as her heart: seven years lifting 50- and 100-pound sacks in a potato shed so her family would have insurance, a summer at a caviar plant in Petersburg, Alaska, and years managing restaurants and hotels, where she won Red Lion's award for the most innovative money-making ideas three out of four times among fifteen managers. (In her words, "Not all of them appreciated my ‘enthusiasm.’") Through it all, she gave not only her time but her own physical health to make sure her family always had what they needed. She has also been a livestock dealer, an apple picker, a bartender, a caretaker, and a foster mom who opened her home to kids who needed one. But her favorite job was always waitressing, and all she ever really wanted was "to be a housewife and stay home and take care of my kids."

In her own words

I asked Grandma to describe herself in just ten words. But ten words were never going to be enough for a woman like her — here's what Grandma Barb had to say about herself.

A quote of scripture from the Holy Bible

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Grandma's Memories of her life

The majority of my memories, I would rather forget! The pregnancies and births of my children are some of the most wonderful memories. When my children were younger, and we did things together...bike riding, horseback riding, camping, gardening, singing, and playing the piano, chores, just talking…those times are precious memories. Drive In movies in the back of my 39 Ford ton and a half truck were great fun, or just driving around in it! Preparing meals together and living on a farm! God placed various children in my life from time to time and losing Jerry and Michelle is one of my saddest memories, I do believe that God meant for me to have those two precious children. I enjoyed working in restaurants….every phase of it, but waitressing was always my favorite.

How has your presence impacted the lives of those around you?

I’m not sure how my presence influenced my bio family...most of it felt like being on the outside looking in, until the past maybe 6-7 years. I have always tried to help people wherever and whenever I could, whether friends or not. I have been ‘burnt’ by many, but I forgive them all as God would have me do, although not easy!! At this point in time I know it is between them and God and has nothing to do with me. Trying to get the Community Garden to be all it can be is a pet project that I pray God gives me the time to complete. It is somewhat in my mother’s memory and to benefit the town, although most, at this point, I don’t think they put much value in it. I have been trying to get the town to ‘come together’ for the good of the community and actually their own benefit. But a small percentage are unhappy people that fantasize they are smarter and better and are persistent in spreading their gloom and misery. This too, is in God’s Hands, and I know who wins!

A quote of scripture from the Holy Bible

39 Love Thy neighbor as thyself Matthew 22:39

second only to The First Commandment 37 Love Thy God Matthew 22:37

What important lessons has life imparted to you? What advice would you share with others?

Life has taught me how unimportant so many things are! Being right with God is really all that matters. Introducing others to Him so they can know the joy and wisdom that comes from a relationship with Him is my goal. Trying to achieve vast amounts of wealth is such a waste of energy and resources unless those monies are used to help the millions needing help! Being a friend to the friendless, feeding the hungry and starving, providing shelter to those who have none is what is important! Fantasizing that you are better than others is not only foolishness….it is a sin! If everybody on this planet read the Bible and let that wisdom shape their personality and goals, what a utopian world we would live in. But Lucifer is crafty and busy sowing discord and chaos wherever he can! These AI centers the wealthy so want to build, own and increase their wealth could easily be the end of our lives as we know them. How do those people think we survived all these years without them? But reading the Bible teaches us how greed and selfishness and false gods have been around from the beginning and there are those who just refuse to learn! We can lead by example and introduce as many as we are able to God and His word and that is the only hope for planet earth!