Barbara "Bj" Valot

Together again...

Barbara "BJ" Valot, 82, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 27 at her home, Arden Courts of Bath. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, Merlin "Bo" Valot (deceased 2011).

Barbara was born May 18, 1934, in Youngstown, the daughter of David D. and Erma (Willson) Jamison. She graduated from Bowling Green State University and was a teacher at Austintown Fitch High School, where she met and fell in love with Merlin "Bo," whom she married June 14, 1958. Barb was a devoted wife and mother. After raising her two children, she returned to teaching at Girard High School. Barbara was an active member of Mahoning United Methodist Church, where she was a treasurer and choir member for many years.
She and her husband, Bo, were "Snow Angels" and spent their winters in Naples, FL. In Naples, they became active members of the East Naples United Methodist Church. While living in the Foxfire community, Barb enjoyed playing in the Ladies 9-hole golf league and was an avid Mahjong player.
Barb was a positive inspiration to those whom she touched in how she lived her life with a "glass-half-full" attitude. For example, despite being diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, a disease that robbed her of most of her vision, she learned to play golf, was an avid Cleveland Indians fan and participated fully in life with eternal optimism.
Barbara will be sadly missed by her two children, Douglas James (Wendy) Valot of Houston and their children, Ben and Rachel and Linda Sue (Darrell) Klotz of Copley and their daughter, Katelyn. The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the staff, our "family," of Arden Courts, for their love and care and for enriching Barb's final months of life on earth. Barb's faith in Christ and love for family and friends is everlasting.
Besides her husband and parents, Barbara was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Goddard, and brother, Bruce Jamison.
Friends may call 2-3 p.m. SATURDAY, March 4, at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333. Services will be held 3 p.m. SATURDAY at the funeral home with Pastor Ryan Rodeman officiating. Interment will take place at 11 a.m. MONDAY, March 6 at Brunstetter Cemetery located on the intersection of Wilcox Rd and Callaway Circle in Austintown, OH 44515 with Pastor Todd Shoemaker officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at https://www.macular.org / or The Alzheimers Association at http://www.alz.org/ . (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel).