Barbara L. Stephenson

Barbara Stephenson (Bennett) passed away on Thursday, May 30th, 2024, while at home in Republic, Missouri. Born on September 18th, 1947, in Burnham, Missouri to Delbert and Islet (Jones) Bennett, she was 76 years old.

 

Barbara grew up in the Burnham/Willow Springs area. She graduated from Willow Springs High School in 1965. Barbara worked for Cox Health Systems for 32 years and before that for the Missouri Department of Corrections for 12 years. She was such a light in this sometimes dark world and she made it a point to always help those in need with whatever she could. Barbara's family meant everything to her, and she will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Islet Bennett, and her granddaughter, Alexandrea Anderson.

 

Barbara is survived by her children: Julie Gugel and her husband, Samuel Gugel of Springfield, MO; Amber Anderson and her husband, James Anderson of Republic, MO. She is further survived by her two grandchildren, Gabriel and Michaela; her brother, Kirk Bennett of Willow Springs, MO; her sister, Faye Bennett-Tune of Paola, KS; two great-grandchildren, Sammy and Evelynn; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 14th, at 3:00pm at the Willow Funeral Home, LLC in Willow Springs, MO. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Barbara Stephenson, please visit their website at https://www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com/ and click the link in Barbara's obituary.