Barbara Ann Stiles

Barbara Ann Urbach Stiles was born September 16, 1934, in Flushing, NY, to Edward and Ida Mae Urbach. She was the second of two daughters. When Barbara was 7, her family moved to Cape May Court House, NJ.
In 5th grade Barbara met Francis Tomlin Stiles. They dated in high school, and, after graduation, she trained as a nurse at Philadelphia General Hospital, and Fran enlisted in the Navy. They were married in 1955 in Ft Lauderdale, FL. After Fran's tour of duty was finished, the couple moved to Illinois for his college study and then to Texas for seminary. They then served in Fran's pastorates in NJ, NY, NH, PA, CA, FL, and MO, building a partnership of love and devotion to each other, their family, and the ministry.
Barbara was a woman of strong faith and an enthusiastic supporter of missions, praying for and entertaining many missionaries in their home over the years. She also found great joy in leading Pioneer Girls. As a nurse, she filled a variety of positions, including hospital, home health, private duty, and doctor's office nursing. Barbara was respected for her professionalism, thoroughness, organization, and ability to connect with patients and colleagues.
Barbara had the gift of friendship. She made friends with women of all ages and from many walks of life. She knew how to come up with an activity and gather a group together to enjoy it. She could talk to anyone and loved to learn. When she decided to try something new, she threw her whole self into it, from taking computer classes to teaching herself to sew, cook, and bake bread. An enthusiastic visitor to museums and historic sites and a voracious reader of biography, history, and fiction, Barbara passed those loves along to her children. She enjoyed train travel throughout her life. With her friend Doreen and later her friend Joyce, she traveled almost all of the Amtrak train lines, especially enjoying the people she met along the way. Barbara enjoyed classical music, country music, and hymns. Her favorite hymn was Be Still My Soul.
Preceded in death by her parents and sister, Jean, Barbara is survived by her husband, Fran, three daughters, Barbara (John Kwasny), Miriam (John Mindeman), and Jenny (Chuck McGinnis), and one son, Timothy (Lorena), along with eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 26, 2023 in the Faith Baptist Church of Waynesville, MO. Burial will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville, MO. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 26, 2023 in the Faith Baptist Church of Waynesville, MO.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Barbara Stiles to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert.