Barbara Lee Jenkins of Sullivan, Missouri was born on June 11, 1947 in Steelville, Missouri to Matt and Dorothy (Medley) Richardson and passed away Thursday, May 21, 2026 at the age of 78 years.
She grew up in the Cherryville area where she attended grade school and later attended junior high in Steelville.
She worked over 20 years at the Bobber Café before later going to work at Sudsy’s, where she served as manager for another 30 years.
She loved Christmas and Christmas music, watching The Golden Girls and The Waltons and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals. She enjoyed playing bingo, crocheting and attending her grandchildren’s basketball games. She also loved sitting outside on her deck watching the sunset.
In her younger years, Barbara enjoyed playing the guitar and banjo and singing alongside her family in their family band.
She was preceded in death by her infant son, Kevin; grandson, Billy Smith; parents, Matt and Dorothy Richardson; six siblings, Dode, Herbert, Kellis and Marvin Richardson, Bonnie Rohr and Wilma Foster.
She is survived by five children, Tonya Tilicke and wife Lorie of San Antonio, Texas, Valli Jo Ertl and husband John of Bourbon, Missouri, Tina Webb and husband Marty of Bourbon, Missouri, Tara Smith and fiancé Reggie of Oklahoma and Randy Jenkins and significant other Chelisa of Leasburg, Missouri; 22 grandchildren, Robert Houseman, Jacob Daugherty, Nick Houseman and wife Amy, Skyler Daugherty and wife Megan, Dalton Ertl and wife Tenise, Chantel Spurgeon and husband Jacob, Creeanna Ertl, Cody Leasor and wife Cheyenne, Wyatt Ertl and wife Jacie, Dakota Fritz, Austin Fritz, Christopher Fritz, Denver Seabaugh, Jase Strack, Glen Smith, Mackenzie Todd, Joshua Jenkins, Steven Smith, Christina Smith, Kyle Graddy and Jayden Boyd; 16 great grandchildren and one on the way; sister, Irene Britton of Jonesville, Michigan; other relatives and friends.
Private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Burial in Upper Indian Creek Cemetery in Viburnum, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, Missouri.
