Barbara Janice Neilson passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 30 at her home in Barefoot Bay, FL. She was born in Jacksonville, FL on March 10, 1938, and was the only daughter of the late George and Laura Litzenberg. Barbara graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1956 and later became a stewardess for American Airlines based out of New York. That is where she met the late Dr. Edwin Willard Neilson whom she married in 1960. They lived together in long Island, NY; Davenport, IA: Sarasota, FL; Morristown, TN; and Barefoot Bay, FL.

Barbara was very athletic in her youth and enjoyed running and was quite a bowler. Later in life she found her passion in poetry and drafted numerous poems for friends, family, and special occasions. One of her favorite pastimes was chronicling her life and times, preserving memories for her future family generations. Additionally, she enjoyed listening to music; dancing; and spending time with her friends, family, and the many dogs she owned throughout her life. Barbara was also an amateur ornithologist and devoted University of Tennessee football fan (Go Vols!).

Barbara was preceded in death by her son Dr. Gregory Neilson and his daughter, Kayleigh Neilson. She is survived by her daughter Janice Lewis of Knoxville, TN; her son Matthew (Tish) Neilson of Knoxville, TN; and her daughter-in-law Marjorie Neilson of Morristown, TN. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Tristan, Jessica, Ian, Jackson, and Phia.

A memorial service will be held in Morristown, TN in the coming weeks with a graveside family service to follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to your local Humane Society.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Barbara's memorial page at www.seawindsfh.com.