Barbara Lee (née Clark) Jeffers
Born on January 9, 1938 in Washington, DCDeparted on July 10, 2025 in Melbourne, Florida
Barbara Lee (née Clark) Jeffers, 87, of Melbourne, Florida passed away at home on July 10, 2025 under the care of family and dear friends. Barbara is predeceased by her husband, John Herrick Jeffers and her daughter, Jennifer Lee Jeffers.
She is survived by her son David Jeffers and daughter-in-law Polly Jeffers of New Hampshire, granddaughter Rachael Jeffers of Rhode Island, her sister Ann (Clark) Beck of Oregon; her brother-in-law Edward Bishop of Rhode Island, and her partner of several years Faith Edwin of Florida, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, educator, business owner, and crafting enthusiast, Barbara lived a rich and varied life. Born in Washington, DC on January 9, 1938 to Egbert “Kent” and Catherine “Kit” (Groseclose) Clark, Barbara graduated from Radnor High School in Wayne, Pennsylvania and attended Pembroke College at Brown University. It was there that Barbara met John and they were married in June 1956. Barbara and John began their life as a family in Providence, Rhode Island welcoming their son David and daughter Jenny. In 1963 they moved to Tampa, Florida, making a new home on Davis Island.
In Tampa, Barbara returned to college, completing her undergraduate and master’s degrees from USF in education, focusing on language and learning differences. At the Tampa Reading Clinic she helped hundreds of students, young and old, through the 1970s and ‘80s.
In the early ‘80s, Barbara and John moved across the state to settle in Melbourne. Rather than working for someone else, Barbara went out on a limb in 1984, establishing the Brevard Learning Clinic (BLC). A successful business providing one-on-one instruction for over 20 years, BLC supported generations of students. Barbara was an active member of the Florida chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma serving in a variety of roles ensuring professional development opportunities for women educators.
Throughout her life, Barbara nurtured a love of learning, crafting, color, patterns, puzzles, games, stories, travel, and enjoying nature. Beginning with a cross-country road trip in the early 1960s, Barbara spent many summers camping with her family in Sweden, Maine and later enjoyed traveling in Europe. An accomplished quilter (see photo below of ‘Rachael’s Galaxy’ quilt loving made by Barbara) and fused-glass enthusiast, she was a student and teacher of these crafts. Barbara was a lover of good stories and a frequent listener at the National Storytelling Festival.
Her family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care and support of Vitas Healthcare and Hospice.
Memorial service and celebration of life will be Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 11:00am at Prince of Peace Church, 6895 Murrell Road, Melbourne, 32940. For details contact the church at 321-253-9102 or Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home at 321-723-2345.
In lieu of flowers, donations to New Life Rescue Mission or Delta Kappa Gamma – Florida Chapter in Barbara’s memory are appreciated.
