Barbara Jean Perry

1944 - 2025

Barbara Jean Perry, 81 of Webster Groves, passed away on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at Arrowhead Senior Living in Osage Beach.

Barb was born on Oct. 27, 1944, in St. Louis, the second oldest of seven children, born to the late Louis and Louise (Gothard) Perry. She was such a sweet child who, along with her one older sister, Ann, loved helping take care of the younger brothers and sisters. She loved playing with all of them, especially playing games and teaching them new hobbies and crafts.

Barb was the baker, specializing in desserts and decorating cookies. She loved all the holidays and decorating the family home. She was always the most excited for all the family gatherings as a child.
Every holiday was her favorite as it came along.

She graduated from college with a degree in physical therapy, and she worked for the Special School District in St Louis County, specializing in working with children with physical challenges. Barb never had any children of her own and that made her very sad. This resulted in her passion for helping other families and their children. Her jobs focused on children all her life, and she ended her working career focused on children in day care facilities. She loved each and every child as her own.

Barb was an artist, and her walls were lined with her paintings through the years. She painted with watercolor and acrylic. Her paintings were of flowers, landscapes, and children. Her favorite things in life were portrayed in her art. She collected porcelain dolls and painted their faces in such a beautiful way, conveying so many children's emotions through her art.

Barb had a lifetime of physical and mental challenges, so she was limited in what she could do for most of her life. She always looked forward to family events, especially with her nieces and nephews through the years. In spite of all her challenges, she always had a strong faith and truly loved Jesus and her church.

Towards the end of her life, when her dementia was advancing, Joan would play gentle Christian songs and lay the speaker on her pillow. This always seemed to calm her fears, and she would know Jesus loved her and was with her.

Her death was unexpected and sudden, but the family knows this was a blessing from God. She did not seem to suffer as she left this world into the loving arms of Jesus. This gentle spirit, this sweet child of God, loved everyone in spite of her life of illnesses and challenges. She was a gift to all who knew her.

Barb is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Louise Perry, and one brother, Bill Perry.

She is survived by her five siblings, Ann Perry, Joan Woods (Don), Linda Allen (Richard), Margaret Costello (Patrick), Jim Perry, along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A Funeral Mass was Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bolivar.
Memorial contributions can be made to CMH Ladies Auxiliary.