Barbara Ann Vestal (nee Mabe) Cramer was born Nov. 14, 1936 in Steelville, Missouri and passed away Feb. 5, 2026 at the age of 89 years, 2 months and 22 days.
Barbara grew up in Steelville and graduated from Steelville High School in 1954.
She married Robert Vestal in May 1954 in Steelville, Missouri. They lived in Thayer, Missouri for over 25 years.
Later in life, Barbara married Howard Cramer and they resided in Grove, Oklahoma. Through the years, she was employed by KALM Radio station in Thayer as a secretary and occasionally did the news, weather and sports. Also, she worked at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri as a unit secretary in the ER unit and later worked again as a unit secretary at Ozark Mental Health Center in Joplin.
Barbara had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Steelville and later First Baptist Church in Thayer.
Barbara enjoyed going to Thayer High School football, baseball and basketball games, camping at Norfork Lake, and crappie fishing on Grand Lake, Oklahoma. During her marriage to Howard, they enjoyed riding their Gold Wing Motorcycles.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Hester Mabe; husbands, Robert Vestal and Howard Kramer; sons, Gary Vestal and Mike Vestal; and brother, Roy Lee Mabe.
She is survived by her one son, Bruce (Kellie) Vestal of Steelville, Missouri; two grandchildren, Brianna (John) Mimnaugh of Connecticut and Brandon (Jackie) Vestal of California; two great-grandchildren, Arabella Mimnaugh and Mason Vestal; one sister, Joan Godbey of Appleton City, Missouri; nieces, Chris Joyce and Terry Johnson all of Columbia, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Graveside service was held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.
