Barbara Oliver Hitchcock

Barbara Lounette Oliver was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on November 21, 1942. On February 24, 2026, at 83 years old, she passed peacefully with family in Vestavia Hills and went to be with the Lord.

Barbara was born to Cecil and Bertha Oliver of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and had an older brother, Harvey Holmes Oliver, also of Vestavia Hills. After graduating from Phillips High School, she attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a minor in music in 1964. While sitting on a bench with her father on the Quad at the University, Barbara first saw the man who would later become her husband, Lee Hitchcock of Vestavia Hills, Alabama. She turned to her father then and proudly announced, "I'm going to marry him one day.”

After graduation, Barbara worked as a Spanish teacher in Atlanta, Georgia. Lee did indeed propose to Barbara as she predicted, and they were married at Shades Crest Baptist Church in 1965. Immediately after their honeymoon, Lee was stationed in Korea with the Air Force, and Barbara moved to Seoul, Korea and worked for the United States Army. They saw each other only on weekends during Lee’s tour, but her love and devotion to him would be evident throughout their lives together.

Barbara and Lee made their home in Hoover, Alabama, and their church home became Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. Barbara worked and served with distinguish in administrative positions at Simmons Junior High School in Hoover and eventually retired from Shades Valley High School’s International Baccalaureate School. She was known to be widely popular with students and easily became a trusted advisor, a valued advocate, and a genuine friend. However, Barbara’s true passions were her husband, her children and the home and life they created together.

Barbara and Lee raised three children who all live locally. Her eldest son, Kevin, lives in Birmingham with his wife Laurel; middle daughter, Lisa, lives in Pelham; and youngest son, Jason, lives in Hoover with his wife Fonda and their two sons, Joshua (10) and James (7). Barbara loved her children and grandchildren and was a kind, giving, and enthusiastic mother and grandmother. She especially loved summertime picnics and spending time by the pool with family. She was always ready for fun and antics with her grandsons who lovingly called her “Granna.”

Throughout her life, Barbara was passionate about traditions, holidays, and creating memorable and remarkable experiences with family. She loved football Saturday, cheering loudly, “Roll Tide!” with every touchdown, and stating wryly with every opposition score, “we’re gonna lose!” She especially loved creating special celebrations for her family. Her potato salad was an often requested family favorite at birthdays and her Christmas celebrations were magical. Barbara’s generosity knew no limit, and every detail of the Christmas season was planned to share her boundless Christmas spirit, from perfectly decorated Christmas trees to meticulously wrapped gifts.

Barbara was a devout Christian, with a steadfast, deeply personal and intimate faith in Christ. Throughout her life, she lived her faith authentically, through real acts of service and kindness. She loved Dawson’s Candlelight Service, always looking forward to the music program, and always singing joyfully to the Lord during her favorite hymns.

The family truly appreciates all those who knew, loved and supported Barbara throughout her life. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the hardworking and dedicated medical staff of UAB Medicine who extended immeasurable care to Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Dawson Memorial Baptist Church’s Music Ministry.