Barbara Jean (Jackson) McCoskey

Barbara Jean McCoskey, born January 29, 1941, quietly passed away December 31, 2025, at 84 years. Her children, Ken Jr., Barbara, Toni, Brenda, Bonnie, John and their spouses miss her deeply, as well as her siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Barbara’s early years were spent with her parents, Tommie and Cora Jackson, and her beloved siblings: sisters Marney and Ruth and brother Tom Jr. in Piggott, Arkansas. The family relocated to Michigan in 1956, and Barbara graduated from Clarkston High School in 1959.

As a young wife and mother new to Michigan, Barbara easily made friends with neighbors and congregates in her church. She was a hardworking, dedicated supporter of the Brownies, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts and proudly active in her church. Perhaps unknown to some, she loved comic books—a fan of Superman and more importantly Wonder Woman. This helps explain her fortitude. 

Throughout her life she had this uncanny knack for seeing someone’s need and showing up with an item or solution without comment or expectation... A wonderful woman. 

In later years, she enjoyed reading, often into the wee hours–she was a night owl as it turned out! She also loved spiritual hymns, the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees, and the Eagles. Music was woven into her entire life.

Alongside her partner Ron, she often cooked large dinners, had cookouts and celebrations (especially on the 4th of July!) making seemingly impossible amounts of food and goodies, as if without effort–breakfasts, vegetable pizza, delicious ribs, potato salad, pasta salad, cornbread, Texas sheet cake—the list goes on. She enjoyed garage sales, thrift stores, bologna and Dr. Pepper! Barbara loved the stars and stripes, and people of all types. 

She had a thoughtful spirit and a generosity to be aspired to. Her life could be challenging at times and rewarding so many more. She gave everyone around her, well, anything she had to give should they need it. She will be dearly missed and celebrated.

A celebratory memorial for family and friends will be held in the Spring. 

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