Barbara Hall

Barbara Hall, 91, of Columbia, passed away February 25th, 2026, at the Pleasant Care Living Center in Pleasantville. Graveside Service will be held at a later date.

Barbara Faye Stuart was born June 25, 1934, near Grinnell, Iowa, to Leonard and Esther Stuart. Her family rented farms and they moved often while Barb was growing up. She attended 13 different schools but spent most of her school years at Farrar and Mingo, graduating from Newton High School in 1952.

Barb met Homer Hall junior year of high school, but it took over a year for her to say yes to his many date requests. Once she did, she soon realized that Homer was her forever "home". They were married on March 21, 1954, at the Farrar Methodist Church.

Their marriage was blessed with three children: Connie, Steven, and Sandra. While their family was growing, they moved near Chicago while Homer served in the United States Army. After his service, they returned to Iowa and farmed in Collins, Baxter, and Farrar, before finally moving to their farm near Columbia in 1967.

Barb was a farmer's wife through and through. She was a devoted homemaker who took great pride in caring for her home and family. Barb was a wonderful cook. She gardened, canned, cared for the chickens, and handled the many daily chores of farm life. Barb always put her family and others before herself.

That love of people and deep faith in God led the couple to attend Rhema Bible College. In 1980, Homer & Barb co-founded the Living Word Fellowship Church in Knoxville, Iowa, along with Tom & Denise Kirkman and Bill & Sherrie Jenkins, Jr.

Barb had a gift for connecting with people through music. She would play her Omnichord at all the services. Through their ministry she met and touched lives all over the world. Homer and Barb served as missionaries in the Philippines, living there after retiring from farming and continuing their ministry for several more years by spending six months at a time there. Their efforts helped build numerous churches, financially support pastors, train new pastors, hold children's Vacation Bible Schools, and much more throughout the Philippines over the past 30+ years. Known lovingly as "Mama Hall" by their Filipino family, she cherished sharing God's word. The work they began has not only continued but continues to grow.

Back home in Iowa, Barb treasured time spent with her family. She especially loved family bonfires. She would fix her famous Rhubarb Crisp and pack the truck with all the food. She always made sure everyone got a hotdog to roast over the giant fire.

After Homer's death, Barb lived at Homestead Memory Care in Knoxville. She loved all the daily activities. Her favorites were the parachute and of course the adapted version of softball. Having her fingernails painted and puzzles were also activities she enjoyed.

Barbara went to meet Jesus and rest in Heaven with Homer on February 25, 2026, at the age of 91.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Esther Stuart; her beloved husband, Homer Hall; son, Steven Hall; and her siblings: Marilyn, Lyman, and Judy.

Barbara will be greatly missed by her daughters, Connie (Jeff) Beebout and Sandra (David) Beebout; daughter-in-law, Coral Hall; eight grandchildren: Eric (Amber) Hall, Lisa (Mike) Willis, Cris (Randy) McKinney, JoElla (Gabe) Belyeu, Wendy (Dave) Krambeck, Ryan Beebout, Lacy (Cristian) Garcia, and Alex Hall; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; along with the Filipino family and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Living Word Fellowship for Sowers of the Living Word Missions in Philippines.