Obituary of Barbara Belair

Barbara Lee Belair, age 71 of Hoschton, GA, died Friday, March 13, 2020 after an extended illness. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 28, 2020 at 2 PM at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel. Pastor Jason Mincey will officiate. The family will receive friends Saturday, March 28, 2020 from 1 – 2 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family request contributions be made to Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church or Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center in memory of Barbara. Barbara is survived by her husband, Robert Belair, Hoschton; daughters, Katherine Benson (James) Buford, Leanne Belair (Ciara), Orlando, FL; grandchildren, Eleanore “Ella” Benson and Cora Benson; brother, Roger Lee (Jane), Spartanburg, SC. Barbara was born in Concord, NC and lived the last 20 years in the metro Atlanta area. She was an Associate Professor at Queens College and a member of Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church, Dacula. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Barbara at hamiltonmillchapel.com

Katie Benson’s Tribute

My sweet mom took her last breath on Friday evening surrounded by family. She is in a much much better place. She now has a pain-free back and feet, lungs that work and that aren’t filled with cancer, and a heart that isn’t failing her. She’s been reunited with her mom, dad, sister, the 2 babies she never got to hold, and all the dogs she had to say goodbye to.

While all of this is so very relieving, my heart is utterly and completely broken. Not just for me, but for my dad, Robert, her love of almost 36 years, and my sweet sister, Leanne. I’m also very sad for her brother, Roger and all of the cousins that she left behind. I feel sad for the amazing friends she had and that were there for her until the end. She was a very loved woman. ❤️

But selfishly, my heart hurts most for my girls, Ella and Cora. Ella and my mom were so very close and shared so many amazing times together. And Cora loved her Gigi but won’t get to experience the target and Starbucks dates, baking, and sleepovers. It hurts so much.

I’ll never forget the love you shared for my husband, James, the girls, and me. I’ll feel it as long as I live.

You can finally Rest In Peace, Mama. I will love you forever and always. ❤️

Leanne Belair’s Tribute

The world is an uncertain place right now. Every minute, we hear about something unprecedented, from Disney World’s closing, to travel bans, school closings, and so much more. We can forget life is still happening around us.

My beautiful Mother, Barbara, found out at the begin of this year, that was full of hope that she had stage 4 lung cancer. She was symptom free and this was an absolute shock to her and our family. We came together and we were ready to fight the cancer to have more time with her. But that was not God’s plan.

We received hopeful news about treatment, we were going to try immunotherapy. This was supposed to be a better alternative to chemotherapy. But there are always risks in our lives and our choices.

Three days after my mom’s first treatment she ended up in the ER. And 5 days later was put on life support because the doctors didn’t know what was happening. Her heart was failing, and the most likely cause was a complication from the cancer treatment. A possibly of 1% this could happen. The thing that was supposed to give us more time took time away. She fought for more time and came off life support seven days later. We were given the greatest gift, more time to say the things that were unsaid, have moments together and laugh one more time.

Her heart would not recover, and we had to understand but more importantly she had to understand that her life on Earth was ending. My mom told me she was so grateful to be my mother and that me and my sister made her so happy. (Crying) She was able to spend her last few days at home with family and friends. She was surrounded by family when she took her last breath on Friday evening.

My mom was the most amazing person I have ever known, and I don’t know how I am going to live without her and not talk to her every day because I really did call every day. And thinking she won’t be around to see me get married or start a family is unthinkable, but she will always be in my heart, my sister’s heart, my dad’s heart, her brother’s heart and everyone who knew her. Because she had that impact on everyone she brought into her life.

So, during these uncertain times remember what’s important in life and that’s love. Love from your family, from love ones like my rock Cece, and friends. Hope is never lost. Thank you all you support, prayers for my family during this time. We love you all! ❤️