Barbara Rose "Bobbie" Webster, 79, of rural Columbia City, entered the gates of heaven at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, May 5, 2022, from her home, where she was surrounded by family.

She was born on July 11, 1942, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the only child of the late John and Helen (Miller) Maxwell. During her childhood, her father moved between Indiana and Los Angeles, California, with his job. She graduated from Huntington High School.

On July 2, 1960, she married the love of her life, James H. Webster. They made their first home in Huntington and then moved to rural Columbia City, where they have lived for the past 55 years.

In addition to being a homemaker raising the couple's two children, she had worked at the former Essex/United Technologies/Dana plant in Columbia City.

A woman of God, she had attended the New Hope Wesleyan Church and regularly studied the Bible. A talented and accomplished painter, she enjoyed painting portraits, landscapes, and ceramics, sharing her passion with her grandchildren. With her love of animals, they were well cared for as they came to her property. Among her favorites was a burro named Paco.

She followed NASCAR and, in her household, controlled the TV remote. In her younger years, she enjoyed traveling with her husband taking a month-long road trip of the western states.

Surviving is her husband of 61 years, James; children, Rose (Doug) Plew and Randall (Jackie) Webster, both of Columbia City; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Tim Linsky.

The funeral service is 11 a.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the Union Twp. Cemetery at Coesse. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Preferred memorials are to St Jude Children's Hospital or the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission.