Ida Lea "Barbara" (Goodall) Lewis

Ida Lea “Barbara” Lewis (Goodall), age 80, passed peacefully into eternal glory on March 10 at Valley Medical Center while in hospice care, with her family by her side.  Barbara was born on April, 15, 1942 in Hickory, Oklahoma.  Barbara was the 7th of 8 children born to Charles Edward and Jesse Cleo Goodall, and the 20th of 21 children born to her father Charles.  Barbara lived very humbly with her family in Hickory until she left high school and moved to California to live with her older sister at the age of 15 and began using the name of Barbara.   It was there that she met Early Lewis, a young man who hired on at the gas station where she worked.  He was a young aircraft mechanic, newly discharged from active duty with the Marines and she was smitten.  Barbara found a way into Early’s heart by bringing him a sandwich each day for his lunch break.  They soon eloped to Las Vegas on April 5, 1959.  Their first daughter Angela Marie was born in Jan 1960 and their little family of 3 settled into life in Culver City, CA.  In 1961, they moved to Dallas, Texas for Early’s job with Continental Airlines, and returned to California in late 1963.  Their daughter Annette Marlene was born in 1964, completing their family of 4.  Soon after, Early and Barbara proudly purchased their first home in Torrance, California where Barbara was a full time homemaker, taking care of their daughters and supporting Early with his career and educational achievement.  Barbara returned to school herself and received her high school diploma when she was in her early 30’s.  They moved to Seattle in 1976, into the home she and Early continued to share until her recent hospitalization.                            

In her early years, Barbara enjoyed playing softball and bowling, sewing for her children, and spending time with friends.  However, her greatest “hobby” was her devotion to her family.  Though Barbara did not know how to cook when she first married Early, she became an accomplished cook and hostess for so many people.  After her girls were married, Barbara began to work outside of the home in Human Resources; starting at Pay ‘n Pak, then Eagle Hardware, Auburn Sports and Marine and her final job with Alaska Cruise West.  Barbara loved to give gifts, camp with family and even started square dancing later in life.  She was involved in a Christian Women’s organization in both California and Washington, served enthusiastically in many children’s VBS programs and was the K-2nd grade counter greeter at Faith Church for many years alongside of dear friends.  She loved to play 5 Crowns, attended many concerts, sporting events, and activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She enjoyed worldwide traveling with Early and her friends, lived in Brazil during Early’s job assignment, and grew to love her Copa Airline Family.  Most of all, she was a servant to many, happily offering her home, her time and talents whenever asked. 

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings.  She is survived by her husband, Early, her daughters Angela (Paul) Swanson and Annette (Darrin) McDermott, 7 grandchildren; Christian, Amanda (Drew), Angela (Adam), Evan (Jessica), Sean, Abby (Evan), and Austin.  She was also adored by her 9 great-grandchildren; Chloe, Jaxton, Emerson, Gideon, Kinsley, Grayson, Oliver, Gwen and Adalyn. 

The family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the Home Health Care staff who were a lifeline in the 6 weeks following mom’s initial stroke, as well as the kindness of the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, ER staff and the Critical care unit at Valley Medical.  Finally they thank the Providence In-Patient Hospice team that blessed all of us in the homegoing journey of Barbara and the support they provided and will continue to provide for Early and the rest of Barbara’s family. 

The family will gather at Edline-Yahn & Covington Funeral Chapel in Kent and they ask for family and friends join them at the visitation and small drop-in reception on Wednesday, March 15 from 2:30-4:45 pm at 27221 156th Ave SE in Kent.  A Family Committal Service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery on March 16th @ 1:30 pm.  A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at Faith Church, 25636 140th Ave, in Kent on March 29 @ 1:30 pm followed by a reception.    

An additional Celebration of Life will be held at Baker’s Chapel Church, Aynor, South Carolina on April 8th. 

The family hopes that all those who held Barbara dear will join with them to honor her. 

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