Barbara J. George

Barbara J. George, of Harrington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, surrounded by her loving family. She was 88. Ms. George was born in Ridley Township, Pennsylvania, to the late Leola Swafford Hickman and Charles Swafford.

Ms. George was an avid reader her entire life. She was quick to get through one book and swap it out for the next one. Her favorite authors were John Grisham and James Patterson. When she did not have a book in her hand, she enjoyed tending to her vegetable and flower gardens.

In her younger days, she enjoyed going out dancing on the weekends, and her all-time favorite artist was Elvis Presley, her first love. She also enjoyed cruising with her siblings, and later with her children, as well as enjoying many family trips with her girls to Williamsburg and the beach.

Ms. George was an excellent seamstress, a skill that she learned in her first career at the Ace Dress Company in Harrington. It was there that she formed many friendships, with that friend group ultimately forming a bowling team that competed locally and in tournaments for several years.

After her children were older, she decided to go back to school to further her education at Delaware Technical & Community College and pursue a degree in accounting. Upon graduating from Del Tech in 1975, she began her second career at Milford Memorial Hospital as an accounting technician, eventually advancing to the position of accounting supervisor during her 20-year career.

Ms. George was always taking care of her family. Once the grandchildren and great grandchildren came along, she was a hands-on grammy who made sure that she was at every school and sporting event. Faith was also an important part of Ms. George’s life. She ensured that her children attended Sunday School at a very young age and she attended church herself when she could.

She started a family tradition in the 70’s of taking her children every summer on vacation to Ocean City, Maryland, a tradition that continues to this day and is now being enjoyed by the fourth generation of her family. Ms. George especially loved the beach and has enjoyed these times making lasting memories with her family.

Ms. George will be remembered as a strong and very independent woman who had a heart of gold. Her kindness and love for her family will live on in them and will be forever cherished.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Larry Tibbitt, and her 11 siblings, Ralph Swafford, Helen Nickerson, Louie Swafford, Hazel Cohee, Donald Swafford, Danny Swafford, Harold Swafford, Teddy Swafford, Freddie Swafford, Nancy Payne and David Swafford.

She is survived by her children, Peggy (Bob) Butler, Ronnie Tibbitt, Debbie (Terry) Stewart, Kenny Tibbitt; her 9 grandchildren, Jenn Zeroles, Kim (Heyward) White, Rob (Jess) Butler; Danny Tibbitt, Heather (Lee) Taylor, Justin (Peggy) Tibbitt, Jessi (Carlton) Parks, Brianna (Dee) Bleen, TJ Stewart, and her 18 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 11 AM, with a visitation one hour prior starting at 10 AM, at the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Hwy., Harrington, DE 19952.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, please visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to express or send condolences.