Barbara Jean Speirs

Barbara Jean Brown Speirs passed away peacefully in her home in the arms of her loved ones on June 4, 2022. She was born December 19, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the third daughter of Calvin Columbus and Esther Pittman Brown. She grew up in Duncan, Oklahoma until her family relocated to Utah in 1948, and lived in various locations in Weber County.

In 1950, Barbara was with her friend, Ruth, when Ruth’s boyfriend brought his friend, Russell Speirs, for a blind date, which led to a two-year courtship between Barbara and Russell. They loved to attend dances, go to the movies, and walk-through Memory Grove in Salt Lake City and smell the roses. They knew they belonged together, and Russell placed a ring set on layaway and made payments on it for six months. They became formally engaged on Valentine’s Day, 1952.

On August 15, 1952, Barbara and Russell were sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple and started their family. They worked diligently to provide the necessities, even though times were difficult. Laurie Ann was born in December 1953, Jelean Marie in November 1955, and Russell Lynn in June 1959. And they were 5. Family outings consisted of going on drives, camping, and visiting relatives. When the children were a bit older, there was a wonderful vacation to Disneyland and on another occasion a spectacular trip to Canada.

Barbara worked hard to gain more knowledge and education. Her position at Hill Air Force Base gave her wonderful opportunities to learn and grow. She retired after 36 years, having worked her way up the civilian ladder to mid-level management of a unit in foreign military sales, which consisted of 25 women, some “lovingly” referring to her as “old iron pants.” She also grew through involvement in the International Toastmistress Clubs, serving in multiple leadership roles at the local and regional levels.

Barbara’s family was most important to her. She cherished her time with Russell, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved family history, spending considerable time indexing records and researching her own family lines. She was an excellent pianist and organist spending more than 50 years as organist in various wards. Watching for and identifying the many types of birds that came through their yard was a favorite of hers, as were crossword puzzles. Yellowstone and Teton National Parks were a couple of her happy places.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Russell; daughter Laurie Speirs Surrusco (Joe), Idaho Falls, Idaho; daughter Jelean Speirs Dokos (Rob), Eureka, Montana; son Russell Lynn Speirs (Andrea), Layton, Utah; 9 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter. She was predeceased by her parents, Calvin and Esther Pittman Brown; sisters, Carma Thomas and Joann Hunter; and brothers who died in infancy, Garth and Gayle Brown.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 10, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Layton Lindquist Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends may visit with family Thursday, June 9, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, June 10, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Services will be live-streamed by going to www.lindquistmortuary.com and scrolling to the bottom of Barbara's obituary page.

Interment-Lindquist's Memorial at Layton

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