Obituary of Barbara Ann Hovis

Smethport - Barbara Ann Hovis, 61, of Smethport, died Monday (June 8, 2015) in the Sena Kean Manor, Smethport, after enduring complications from brain aneurysm surgery in 2002. Her family is thankful for God giving her peace and welcoming her home. Born April 8, 1954 in Kane, PA, she was a daughter of Edward W. and Doris M. Wells Shelander. On August 7, 1976, in the United Methodist Church of Smethport, she married Lionel B. "Lonny" Hovis, who survives. She was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Growing up, Barbara volunteered at the Port Allegany Community Hospital as a candy striper and was a leader of the local United Methodist Youth Fellowship. She began work at the Smethport Tastee Freeze. Barbara was a 1973 graduate of Smethport Area Jr./Sr. High School and attended Jamestown Community College. She faithfully worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Stone's Manor, now Lakeview Senior Care and Living Center, of Smethport. Mrs. Hovis was known as a compassionate and committed care giver. She willingly comforted many in their final hour by reading the 23rd Psalm. She is fondly remembered as fun-loving with a kind-hearted sense of humor. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Smethport and an inspiration for her T.O.P.S. group where-by she dedicated years of fitness walking throughout the community. Barb also enjoyed many types of music and traveling on family vacations to visit extended family throughout the country including North Carolina, Arizona, the Thousand Islands and Colorado. In addition to her husband, she is survived by: two daughters: Jennifer Sue (Mark) Klaiber of Wilcox, PA and Amanda Lynne (Jeff) Lasky of Erie, PA one granddaughter: Natalie Morrell Lasky two sisters: Amie Lingenfelter of Emporium, PA and Martha Russel of Fayetteville, NC and many nieces, nephews, and loyal friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5-8 pm at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport, PA. Funeral and committal services will be held Friday, June 12 at 11:00 am from the United Methodist Church of Smethport, with the Rev. Allen Young, pastor of the East Smethport United Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Grimes Cemetery, Port Allegany. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Hamlin Memorial Library, P.O. Box 422, Smethport, PA 16749, or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.