Barbara Ann Jerrell, kite shops owner

Barbara Ann Jerrell passed away peacefully at her home Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born April 23, 1948, in Gaithersburg, Md., cherished daughter to the late Rosa and Otis Jerrell.

After graduating from Glenelg High School, Barb earned her nursing degree in 1969 from Prince George’s Hospital School of Nursing. She was then employed at Taylor Manor Hospital in Ellicott City, Md. In 1979, Barbara and her life and business partner, Eileen Talley, relocated to Rehoboth Beach, where they opened the first kite shop in Delaware. They loved being business owners and eventually opened five additional stores in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Barb was active in the Rehoboth Chamber of Commerce and the Rehoboth Downtown Business Association, and was instrumental in the beginning concepts of the Rehoboth Jazz Festival, the Sea Witch Festival, and the Easter Egg Hunt. She thoroughly loved being a part of all aspects of downtown Rehoboth. After retiring from retail, Barb became the office manager for Dr. William Thomas and worked in his office for 15 years.

Barbara’s life was a testament to her kind and nurturing spirit. She brought smiles and understanding to those whose lives she touched. Her hope, optimism, and courage were always evident throughout her life. Her keen sense of fair play, respect for those around her, and wonderful sense of humor made her loved by her friends and family as well as those in her poker group and book club, two of her favorite activities. Barb will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew her.

Barb leaves behind her loving partner of 44 years, Eileen Talley; her brother, Mickey Jerrell; her nephew, Brian Jerrell (Jennifer) and sons; her sister-in-law, Nancy Jerrell; her niece, Christine Thorne (Keith) and sons; and many other family members. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ron Jerrell.

A private interment was held in Epworth Methodist Church Cemetery in Rehoboth Beach.  A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends and family may visit beginning at 2 p.m.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests donating in Barbara's memory to Susan G. Komen's Association, komen.org/?utm; or Delaware Hospice Center, delawarehospice.org/donate. 

Visit Barbara's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.