Barbara Jean Cassell

Barbara Jean Cassell, 86, Rainbow City, AL, passed away at 11:40 pm on Thursday February 27, 2026, at Life Care of East Ridge.  She was born on November 14, 1939, in Chattanooga, TN, to the late Paul A. and Ione B. (Coker) Bonner.  She married Jerry Burns in Indiana on August 10, 1974, and he preceded her in death on December 29, 2014.

Bobbie graduated from Kirkland Vocational School in 1959. She wore many hats, she retired from Delco Electronic of GM after 35 years of service, was a waitress and travel agent, but she was known best as wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Bobbie was a world traveler; she visited Europe on several occasions and vacationed all over the United States including Hawaii and Alaska. She especially enjoyed going on cruises. The last 4 years of her life she traveled to Disney World on three different occasions. She insisted on riding every ride her family rode. She was the life of the party because people would just watch in amazement as this elderly woman would fearlessly get on ride after ride. Bobbie was a member of the Local UAW 292, the Red Hat Society, and of a community church in each of her living locations. She was an active supporter of Christian missions in Romania, yearly donations to organizations that support veterans, animals, Native American’s and numerous other groups. She passionately loved her dogs. She had many friends but two special people she called “her hero’s” were Kathy Smith and Connie Grove. Her “partner in crime” Davina Bonner. Lastly, she loved her granddaughter, who was the apple of her eye, Elizabeth Burns. She spent the last 5 years of her life with her niece and nephew in Alabama who were primary caregivers until her death. Thank you, Aunt Bobbie, for all the memories. You Will Be Missed!

Bobbie is survived by her son, Gary (Lori) Burns; children, Sherri (Steve) Martin, and Debra Presley; granddaughter, Elizabeth (James) Burns; great-grandchildren, Zoey Burns, Harper Burns, and Ian Burns; brother, David (Linda) Bonner; nieces and nephews, Davina Bonner, Lloyd (Amy) Pratt, Melanie (Dewayne) Tullis, Georgina Sparks, and Fran (Shawn) Hicks; great niece, Maddie Hicks; along with many other nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters, Annetta Hoskins, Sylvia Pratt, Pauletta Condra, and Judy Gibson; infant brother, Luke Bonner; and sons, Marty Cassell, Mike Cassell, and Jerry Burns Jr.

A funeral service celebrating Bobbie’s life will take place at 12 pm on Friday March 6, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes, 1315 W Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Lloyd Pratt officiating. Burial to follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends may visit the family from 10 am to 12 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kokomo Humane Society. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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