Barbara S. Toothman

TRAVERSE CITY — Our mom, Barbara S. Toothman, was born into eternal life on Jan. 2, 2008, to join her heavenly family.

She was born Oct. 30, 1942, to Moses L. and Elizabeth T. (Southbird) Smith in Elk Rapids. She was one of 11 children. She was raised in the Elk Rapids area and recently had moved to Mt. Pleasant to live with her daughter.

Barbara married the late Francis Sheahan on Dec. 6, 1957, in Elk Rapids.

She was a member of the Kewadin Indian United Methodist Church and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Barbara was family oriented, spending most of her time raising her children and grandchildren. Her work as a mom was never done. Many family members referred to her as the "Old Hen", and the story was told that she once told her granddaughter that she was born in 1492 instead of 1942; and that she was there to welcome Christopher Columbus to her land, one among many cherished memories.

She was a caring, loving and giving person. Even with all her struggles in life, she was a very joyful person, and the people she touched could experience the joy of life within her.

Barbara is survived by her children, Phyllis Sprague of Mt. Pleasant, Dorothy (Dennis) Cristy of Rosebush, Steven (Gayla) Sheahan of Mt. Pleasant, Robert James (Sharon) Sheahan of Mt. Pleasant and Gary Francis Sheahan of Mt. Pleasant; 28 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; eight siblings, Joann (Roger Martel) Fox, Jeanette (Ollie) Pierce, Linda Holt, Ronald Judson Sr., Rosemary Judson, Elizabeth "Betty" Gibbs, Debra (David Fox) Gibbs and Cheri (Victor) Olivera; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband in 1999; and daughter, Charlotte Sheahan; and brothers, Leroy Judson and Barlett Gibbs.

A visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City, with a prayer service to be held at 7 p.m. A funeral will be held Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, at 1 p.m., at the funeral home in Traverse City. Immediately following the service, a prayer service will be held at 3 p.m. at the Kewadin Indian United Methodist Church to fulfill Barbara's wishes; burial will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Any memorial contributions may be directed to the Kewadin Indian United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.