Joann "Boots" S. Barlow

Joann “Boots” Barlow, 81 years, a lifelong resident of Monroe, Michigan, went home to be with her Lord and savior on Friday, August 25, 2017 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Joann Sara LaPrad was born August 23, 1936 to the late Edward and Elizabeth (Hammer) LaPrad. From her marriage to David H. Gray in 1959 came five children: Richard Gray of Monroe, Julie (Pete) DeStefano of Sicklerville, NJ, Kim (Joe) Fenner of Dundee, Kellie (Dave) Gross of Temperance, and David (Amy) Gray of Charlevoix, MI. Boots was a devoted mother and grandmother of 13 grandchildren and one great grandson. Also surviving are seven siblings: Marvin (Sharon) LaPrad, Arthur (Martha) LaPrad, David (Rose) LaPrad, Paul (Joyce) LaPrad, Hildy McLaughlin, Janice Beaudry and Barbara (William) Jennings, two brothers in law: Douglas Crossman and Richard Bergmooser and a sister in law Arlene LaPrad. In addition to her parents, Boots was preceded in death by her husband Richard, two brothers: Gary and Charles and three sisters: Cynthia Bye, Alice Bergmooser and Diane Crossman. March 11, 1971 she gave her heart to Jesus to become a “born again” Christian. Then, she strived to be a servant and friend to all she met on her life’s journey. Along with raising her children, she was Activities Coordinator and worked 17 years at Senior Citizen centers. She loved volunteering and treated everyone with much appreciation. In 1988 she married Richard W. Barlow and together they formed Overland Travel Club with 1400 members. After 13 wonderful years, on May 26, 2001 Richard died. They had travelled 14 countries, all 50 states and Canada. Volunteering became her life; Damascus House, Sing-A-Long’s at all the nursing homes and the IHM Sisters. At age 71, she went back to working as Activities & Volunteer Coordinator at Elderly Solutions for 4 years. As a member of Stewart Road Church of God, she started a Widow’s Ministry in 2002 which still goes on today, but it is now called “Young At Heart”. The legacy she wishes to leave behind is “To Live Life to the Fullest, To Love Long and Forgive Quickly and Always Remember God Loves You and So Do I.” Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1-8 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd. Monroe, Michigan. On Monday, August 28, 2017 she will lie in state at Stewart Road Church of God from 10:00 AM until funeral services celebrating her life at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Dr. Joseph Byrd, pastor of the church, will officiate. In keeping with her wishes, cremation will follow and a private interment will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Stewart Road Church of God or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Joann "Boots" S. Barlow

August 23, 1936 - August 25, 2017