Barbara Jean Campbell Pemberton

Barbara ‘Jean’ Campbell Pemberton, age 88, of Elk Rapids, Michigan, went home to her Savior on October 17, 2026.

Jean was born in Laurel, Mississippi to Sally Vernice Campbell (Vaughn) and Albert R. Campbell. She attended Jones County Junior College (JCJC) at the young age of 15 where she excelled academically and was a state tennis doubles champion.

She dreamed of being a Jet pilot and paid $10 a lesson in high school. Upon graduating, her modelesque looks prompted an offer from Delta Airlines to be a stewardess but she declined stating, “I don’t want to be a stewardess, I want to fly the dang plane!”

In 1958, against her mother’s wishes, Jean went to a USO dance in Mobile, Alabama where she caught the eye of a handsome sailor named Doug Pemberton. They married 3 months later. Daughter Carolyn arrived in 1960 and son Douglas in 1964. Doug’s time with the US Navy and the Blue Angels led to a career in the FAA and the remote regions of Alaska where Jean learned to drive a snowmobile and a dogsled. After leaving Alaska, a visit to relatives in Michigan found them driving through the quaint harbor town of Elk Rapids where they settled down.

After divorcing in 1976, Jean became a single mom supporting two children. She went back to college and completed her degree and got her real estate license while working full time. Once the kids had grown Jean hit the road, working as a property manager in Hawaii, an executive assistant in the aerospace industry in Los Angeles and then on to Montana to manage a dude ranch. She and her travelling truck ended up back in Elk Rapids in 2002. In 2023, after 47 years apart, she and Doug remarried and Jean cared for Doug until his passing in December of 2025. Caring for others was just part of her nature.

Jean took great delight in the fact that her hometown Laurel, Mississippi is host to the HGTV Show “Home Town”, where residents Ben & Erin Napier restore and renovate local homes. Jean’s grandparents James and Nannie Campbell had their lifelong home on 8th Avenue featured on Season 9, Episode 9. Jean was able to see the home when she visited Laurel last year, a highlight of her trip.

Jean was an artist and an artisan, painting artwork and creating beautiful jewelry in her later years. But her greatest pride and joy were her children and grandchildren. She prayed for them morning and evening and encouraged them in all their endeavors. She considered them all “her reason for living.” She will be dearly missed.

Jean is survived by her daughter Carolyn Pemberton (Mike) Hoover of Alden, MI, her son Douglas (Annie) Pemberton of Rapid City, MI and Opihikao, HI; grandchildren Robin (Rana) Bruce of Denham Springs, LA, Rachel Pemberton (Justin Bryan) of Rapid City, MI, Jessica Hoover of Alden, MI, Nicole (Jesse) Way of Elk Rapids, MI and great-grandchildren Brianna Pemberton (Paul Pickering), Lucas Bryan, Robin Jr., and Isabella Bruce; nieces Andrea Franklin of Gulf Shores, AL, Stephanie (Scott) Cauthen of Belton, TX, Melanie (Carl) Jones of Laurel, MS and Tracy Martin of Laurel, MS and great nephew Ryland Cauthen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Ralph and David Campbell, her sister Carole Ann Campbell and her great grandson Theoden Micah Way.

The family wishes to thank the nurses at Munson Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care of Jean during her final weeks.

A memorial service will be held Friday, October 30, 2026, 11:00am at New Hope Community Church 5100 Bethesda Court, Williamsburg, MI, Pastor Timothy Manzer officiating. Luncheon immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support Esperanza Fortuna, a home for rescued girls in Guatemala. Checks may be made to New Hope CC/Esperanza Fortuna.