NEELYVILLE, Mo. — Barbara Jean Merritt Johnson, our dearly beloved and cherished matriarch, reached the end of her wonderful life Dec. 23, 2021, at the age of 76. Barbara passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Missouri from a massive heart attack leaving her family, friends and all who had the blessing of knowing her in great sadness.
Born in Dunklin County, Missouri Nov. 2, 1945 to the late Virginia Elizabeth Poe and George Merritt, Barbara was raised by her mother and step-grandfather along with three aunts of the same age range, Julia Foster, Phyllis Williams, and the late Ruth Duffel. They made a very special and blessed family. At around the age of 10, Barbara spent summers in Wichita, Kansas with her father, step-mother and seven siblings: Barbara Elaine, Joe, Diane, Lila Fay, Krista, Mark and Craig Merritt. Twenty years her junior was Sandi Telker (Haynes), her precious little sister.
A 1963 graduate of Clarkton High School, Barbara with her infectious, bubbly spirit enjoyed being a cheerleader and class president. Along with her many friends, Barbara found plenty of mischief to get into in Clarkton, Missouri during those years. This is where she met the love of her life, CP Johnson, and began an amazing legacy spanning 59 years of a truly amazing marriage filled with so much love and joy.
Especially blessed to have had her as their mother are her four daughters: Regina Williams, Renee Eaker and husband, Rusty, Ruchelle Eudaley and husband ,Greg, all of Poplar Bluff, and Niki French and husband, John, of Neelyville, Missouri. Barbara poured her heart and soul into her family and friends and all the people Barbara’s life touched felt loved, accepted and like part of her extended family. Especially notable was the friendship she and CP shared with Janet and the late Romie McElwrath with whom they laughed, dreamed, traveled and shared all of life’s special moments.
During the various stages of her life Barbara accomplished so very much. She loved to write, sew prom gowns and costumes for her daughters and nieces, volunteer with UCAN and numerous other organizations, play bridge, laugh and travel with cherished friends and was a “ghost-writer” for many college students earning degrees.
In addition, she and her cherished sister-in-law, Pat Boone, were the owners and photographers of Reflections Studio. Most importantly, Barbara, known as “Baba” to her grandchildren and greats, was always available for fun and laughs, in addition to shaping and spoiling them.
Her grandchildren are: Parker Williams and wife, Lindsey, Austin Williams and wife, Lauren, Tori Williams and fiance, Tim Wakefield, Abby Hanner, Ashley Eaker, Trenton Eudaley and wife, Chelsea, Taytem Lorenzana and husband, Jacob, Teslyn Cooper and husband, Dalton, Darby French, Drayden French and wife, Katy.
Her great-grandchildren include: Charlotte, Sam and Rowan Williams, Virginia Elizabeth and Georgia Sue Williams, Rev Hanner, Woodson Eudaley and Harvey-Blake French.
The world will be a little duller without her bright smile and giving heart. In lieu of flowers, her family is asking that donations be made to Butler County Community Resource Council, 644 Charles Street, Poplar Bluff 63901
Visitation for Barbara will be Dec. 28, 2021, starting at noon with the funeral following at 2 p.m., all in the Fowler and Sons Funeral Home at Neelyville, Missouri. Burial will be in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Poplar Bluff, Missouri.