Obituary of Barbara Ingrid Yates

Barbara Ingrid Yates went home to the Lord on March 30 after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. She was born in Schlesien (Silesia), Germany on May 21, 1939 to Kurt and Erna Jauer. Barbara, her parents and two brothers were refugees of the war and moved several times before eventually settling in Stuttgart, Germany. Those hard days shaped a determined and vibrant woman. She raised three children with the help of her parents and other family members. Barbara married a US Army officer in the late 60’s and they moved the new family to Talladega, Alabama when he was rotated home. Another daughter soon joined them. Barbara took English lessons and worked to acclimate her family to America. She was always involved in her children’s lives which included school activities, sports and scouting. Future military deployments and rotations returned the family to Germany, then Colorado and finally back to Alabama. Barbara studied for her US citizenship and proudly stood before a judge to take the oath, ensuring naturalization status for her three older children. Back in Alabama, another son joined the family. Barbara developed a unique GermanAlabama dialect and accent that was instantly recognizable. When people asked where she was from her response was “down yonder” delivered with a big smile. She was a huge University of Alabama football fan and her loud “RRRoll Tide” could be heard loud and clear while cheering on her beloved Crimson Tide. Grandchildren soon arrived and the legend of “Granny” took hold. Andrew Martin, Nick and Cody Yates, Jarrod Stewart, Alex and Arden Horn and Brandon and Tyler Edwards. Granny loved to travel all over the world and her passion for travel included summer road trips and holidays spent with family. In 2013, after her cancer diagnosis, she moved to Texas with daughter Susanne, Son-in-Law Rick and grandsons Brandon and Tyler. She was happy attending all the youth sporting and school events. She traveled back to Alabama regularly to see her grandchildren. She often visited relatives and friends in Germany and fell in love with cruising. She particularly liked the small ships and within a day on board every crew member knew Granny. She produced a list of places to visit and started crossing them off. The arrival of great-grandchildren Kingsley, Luke, Legend and Bliss added to her joyful attitude about life and gave her the much-loved and honored title of “Grammy”. In 2020 she moved with Susanne and Rick to Maggie Valley NC and North Manasota Key FL. She loved taking walks in the mountains and along the beach. Even in her final days she was plotting her next adventure. Barbara was a life-long member of the German-American Club in Birmingham (where she was famous for her Black Forest and pound cakes) and the VFW post in Anniston where she once served as chaplain. In addition to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she is survived by her daughter Sybille Goodson (Jerry), daughter Susanne Edwards (Rick), son HansJuergen (Debbi), daughter Simone Horn, and son Christopher as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews in Germany and Alabama. Contributions to the VFW or any veterans support group, in memory of Barbara, are welcome. Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements.  To send a condolence or memory please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.