Barbara Jimerson Morrall

Barbara Jimerson Morrall was a very special lady - devoted to her family and her faith. She was a strong-willed and loving mother and grandmother, who gave selflessly to enrich the lives of her loved ones. Barbara was a constant in the lives of those who knew her, very dependable and loyal, and her years of dedication afforded her both a happy place in life, and a family that loved her dearly. 1935 was a hard time in the history of our nation. The country was in the depths of the Great Depression, an event that took its toll on everything from the largest factories to the smallest families. In Muskegon, Michigan, however, John Zielinski and his wife, Thelma (Kieft), had a tiny ray of hope come into their lives. On July 26, 1935, they delighted in welcoming the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Barbara. She was the second oldest of their four children: Marilyn, Barb, Donna and Jack. Barb enjoyed a typical childhood, growing up in her family home on Alberta Street, behind the Doo Drop Inn in Muskegon. Her father earned a living in the auto industry as a machinist, while her mother was a traditional homemaker. Barb received her education in the Muskegon Public Schools, and after graduating from Muskegon High in 1953, she went to Muskegon Business College before going to work as a bookkeeper at Apex Welding. Barb met her first husband, Burl Jimerson, at a local skating rink. Burl was an underwater diver from Alabama (funny though, his nickname was Tex) who came to Michigan for a time to help build the Mackinaw Bridge. He was on a short vacation in Muskegon when he met Barb and the two soon began dating. Hopelessly in love, Barb and Burl were happily married on November 5, 1955. The newlyweds settled into married life together in Lakeside, and it was here they would raise their four sons: Barry, Bradley, Benjamin and Brian. When the children arrived, Barb stopped working to devote herself to raising her sons well. She loved being a mother to her four boys and was always very involved in their schooling and other activities. Barb was also a great cook and could often be heard humming a sweet tune while happily busying herself in the kitchen. When her boys were a little older, she went back to work at Apex until retiring in 2000. As a family, the Jimersons attended the Olivet Evangelical Free Church on Southern Avenue, and enjoyed vacations every summer to Florida to visit Burls family. Barb and Burl were also members of the Muskegon Eagles, and enjoyed socializing with their friends there. Burl had battled heart problems for a number of years, which ultimately led to his early retirement from work. Barb tenderly cared for him throughout his illnesses until he passed away in December 1983. After 28 years of marriage, Barb was alone, but strongly determined to keep going. She kept herself busy in her church, regularly attending services and Bible study classes. Her greatest joy, however, was being a doting grandmother to her eight grandchildren, whom she adored. Barb just happened to live by her grandkids school so they came to her house just about every day after school. As they got older, Barb enjoyed cheering them on at softball games, cheerleading, marching band performances and even followed them to the state finals in football. In 1997, Barb started dating Ed Morrall, who was one of Burls best friends from work. Ed was also a widow, and he and Barb started going to church together. Eventually, the two were married in 1998, and lived in Barbs house. Together, they enjoyed traveling and took several trips to Colorado to visit Barbs son Ben, as well as to Branson, Missouri and Florida, where they visited Eds brother. In the fall, the couple loved to take color tours around Michigan, and cheer on the Muskegon Big Red at their football games. In 2003, Barb was first diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy treatments. A true fighter, she battled hard and was rewarded with a time of remission. Unfortunately, the cancer returned and she endured another surgery and chemo treatments, but through it all, her spirit never waivered and her family and faith upheld her and kept her going. She even put together a Bucket List of all the things she still wanted to do. Unfortunately, the cancer reappeared last year and although she tried to stay hopeful, she lost the battle and died on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. Barb was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and will be deeply loved and fondly remembered always. Barbara M. Jimerson Morrall, age 73, died on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. She is survived by her husband, Ed; sons, Bradley (Rose) Jimerson of Allendale, Benjamin (Laura) Jimerson of CO, Brian (Sheila) Jimerson of Muskegon; grandchildren: Adam, Andrew, Alex, Amy, Sarah, Eric, Ryan, Michael; and sisters, Marilyn Zielinski of Muskegon, Donna (Melvin) LaFlame of Muskegon. She was preceded in death by her 1st husband, Burl, and her son, Barry, in 1981. Services will be on Sunday, February 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Olivet Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Craig Cramblett officiating. Interment will be at Mona View Cemetery. Friends may visit with Barbaras family on Saturday, February 14, from 2-5 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure or Muskegon Rescue Mission. Please visit Barbaras memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign her online guest book or share a memory/thought with her family.