Harpist Barbara Jeanne Belew passed away at the age of 95 on Feb. 13, 2025. She was born Nov. 1, 1929, to Horace Russell Belew and Mattilene Lloyd Belew in Plainview, Texas.
Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles (Louisiana) published the following tribute:
“During [Barbara’s] 95 years with us, she earned a Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, in 1951. She earned a Master of Music from the University of Indiana in 1953.
“She was appointed Instructor of Music at McNeese State University [in Lake Charles, Louisiana,] in 1955. She worked as piano and harp professor at McNeese State University for over 60 years. She wrote all publicity from McNeese State University music from 1964–1994 and won several awards for her writing. She was promoted to Associate Professor of Music at McNeese State University in 1980 and was also named as a Certified Teacher of Music by both the Music Teachers National Association and Louisiana Music Teachers Association that same year. She founded the McNeese State University Harp Camp in 2000, later continuing as director.
“[Barbara] was the principal harpist for the Lake Charles Symphony from 1958–2008 and remained on-call for many years after that. She was a harpist for the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra until 1968. She was harpist for the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in Alexandria, La., until 1999.
“Barbara became a member of the American Harp Society in 1970. She founded the Louisiana Chapter of the American Harp Society in 1972 and served as vice-president and advisor. She served two terms on the American Harp Society National Board of Directors as Director of the Southern Region from 1973–1979.”
