Barbara Jacobs Harvell, 83, died peacefully Saturday morning in the company of her loving family. She was born Sept. 6, 1938 in Williamsburg, VA to Bernice Clayton, a homemaker, and Frank Scott Jacobs, Sr, the master painter of Colonial Williamsburg.

The only girl of the family, and with three older brothers - James Bernard, Frank Scott Jr., and Selby Clayton - she quickly learned she was outnumbered, but not outwitted. When Selby, 3 years her senior - played with other boys in the neighborhood, and Barbara asked to play too, he said no - "No girls allowed."

Barbara did not like that rule. So, to get some extra leverage in the negotiations, she did what anyone would have done: she took a hostage. You see, Selby and his friends loved to play football, but the only football in the whole neighborhood belonged to her. If they ever wanted to see it again, they had to let her play. And play they did, sharing a childhood full of misadventures: jumping off roofs, giving each other botched haircuts, and generally getting up to no good.  One night, while her brother was out late, she and her partner-in-crime Betty Lou short-sheeted her brother's bed, putting a hairbrush beneath his pillowcase for good measure. They lay awake to hear him come home, fussing and cussing as he discovered what had happened. Their laughter must have given them away, because the pair awoke the next warning to a splash of cold water over their heads, courtesy of Selby.

Eventually, she made it to James Blair High School, where she was a cheerleader, drum majorette, basketball player and Homecoming Queen. She formed a strong bond with her classmates and made many lifelong friends, graduating with the class of 1956. Next, she enrolled in Madison College, now known as James Madison University, where she focused on her studies and graduated in 1960 with a degree in education. While at school, a friend set her up on a blind date with his fraternity brother from Washington & Lee - James Harvell III. Many dozen love letters later, they were married in 1959 and moved to his hometown of Newport News together. She taught 4th grade there until the birth of her daughter, Laura Connelly, in 1963, and then transitioned into being a homemaker. Eventually, in 1997 and 1998, Laura would have her own children, and Barbara would find a new role as a loving grandmother.

She may have left the teaching profession, but teaching never left her. Her college roommate, Susan, recalls when Barbara would encourage her to do her schoolwork, saying "we [probably should've] put her name on half of my diploma… because she'd make me sit down and do it". Her daughter, Laura recalls that she was always expected to try her best: to try and fail was perfectly fine, but to not try at all was unacceptable. The expectation would continue on to her grandchildren as well - for any given day at Grandma's house, one hour was expected to be used for reading, and she'd frequently take them on "field trips" to museums and other educational attractions.

Barbara was a very talented artist. She created illustrations for the Junior League's Virginia Hospitality cookbook. Her last name (Harvell) is hidden in the shading of her cookbook illustrations.  She also designed appliques for the Cotton Patch clothing line.  Painting and drawing were a big part of her life which she has passed down to future generations.

She was an active member of the Denbigh Woman's Club and Junior League of Hamptons Roads.  The volunteer projects that she enjoyed the most were the ones that involved working with kids in the public school system.

Above all else, Barbara was a kind soul. She was quick to offer help to anyone who needed it, and felt the deepest sympathy toward anyone suffering. She was thorough in all that she did, and firmly believed that a job wasn't done unless it was done well. She brought her brightness to everything, and that brightness will be dearly missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James H. Harvell III, parents Frank S. Jacobs, Sr. and Bernice Clayton Jacobs, brothers James Bernard Jacobs, Frank Scott Jacobs, Jr., and Selby Clayton Jacobs.

She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Laura Harvell May, and her 4 grandchildren: Christian James May, Frank Scott May, Ann Marie May and Emily Leigh May. She was greatly loved by her many nieces and nephews, a love she returned in many ways.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to either the American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association in memory of Barbara Harvell.

A funeral service will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Newport News, VA on Saturday, September 25 at 10am. To view the service live online, after 9:50 AM Saturday, CLICK HERE .