Barbara Lewis

Barbara Jeanette Lewis, age 81, of Quincy, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 in Blessing Hospital. She was born on May 1, 1943 in Quincy, the daughter of Putnam Brunier and Mary Louisa Buckman.

Prior to her retirement, Barbara worked as a phlebotomist at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles, Missouri. Barbara also worked several years as a CNA with Blessing Hospital and as a phlebotomist at Quincy Medical Group.

Barbara accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and had been a member of Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend TR Edwards.

In her free time, Barbara enjoyed listening to T.D. Jakes, her Sunday Gospel music, Classic R&B and Smooth Jazz. She also loved singing and dancing to her oldies but goodies tunes. Every Christmas, Barbara continued her tradition of calling her children and playing, “Silent Night” by The Temptations.

Barbara loved cooking and baking for others. Her family often raved about her delicious home-cooked meals, especially her pepper steak over rice and homemade peach and cherry cobblers. Barbara did not dine out often but when she did, you can bet she would order a Caesar salad, no matter what her options were.

In her younger days, you could find Barbara enjoying her favorite pastime, fishing on the banks of the Mississippi River or rolling a strike with her teammates, on their Illinois State championship bowling team.

Barbara‘s greatest enjoyment was spending time with her children, her grandchildren and close friends, who lovingly referred to her as “Queen Bee”. Her warm spirit will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. Barbara had an infectious laugh and funny quotes that will be forever sketched in our hearts and minds. As Barbara has left her earthly home to be with the Lord, her family can only imagine that she left with her famous quote of, “Ya’ll have fun now, you hear!”

Barbara is survived by her children: Robert Sprague (Denece) of Houston Texas; Veronica Humphrey (Dane) of Quincy Illinois; Anthony Lewis (Monica) of Quincy, Illinois; Randall Lewis (Donyale) of Rosenberg, Texas; Jacqueline Grover (Jimmy) of Lithonia Georgia; Debora Lewis-Townsend of Indianapolis Indiana and Kendall Stanton of Richmond, Texas; 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings: Margaret Marie Alexander of South Beloit, Illinois and Elliott Brunier (Margaret) of Quincy, Illinois. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives also survive.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, siblings: Frances Clay, Norma Jean Mahr, and William Nixon; an infant son, Steven Lewis and a special nephew Brian Bassett, whom she regarded as a son.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Interment in Greenmount Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

15 Comments

  1. Dorothy and Carla Johnson on July 6, 2024 at 5:24 pm

    I remember when Barb and her kids moved into (901) She was so beautiful and fun!!🤗 Mom and Barb became close friends at that time.
    Many great memories with the whole family.
    Mom and I are sending our sincere condolences to all Barb’s family, especially her children. 🙏🏾💜

  2. Dr. T. Lamont Holder on July 6, 2024 at 5:54 pm

    I extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire family. May God’s love, and comfort envelop you during this time of loss.

    Rest in peace and power!

  3. Diana Osborne on July 6, 2024 at 6:31 pm

    My dear cousin, may your soul rest peacefully in heaven. To the family, our love and prayers for your peace. You have our deepest sympathy 🙏🏽
    Love Diana (Dade) Osborne & Tracie

  4. Diana Osborne on July 7, 2024 at 8:53 pm

    My dear cousin, may your soul rest peacefully in heaven. To the family, our love and prayers for your peace. You have our deepest sympathy 🙏🏽
    Love Diana (Dade) Osborne &Tracie

  5. Dorothy and Carla Johnson on July 8, 2024 at 12:47 am

    I remember when Barb and her kids moved into (901) Barb and mom became close friends at that time.
    I have many great memories with the whole family.
    Mom and I are sending our sincere condolences to all Barb’s family, especially her children.🙏🏾💜

  6. Sue Douglas on July 8, 2024 at 8:42 am

    Veronica, your mom will be missed. Rest assured God has her wrapped in his comfort and peace, along with you and your entire family. God bless 🙌

  7. Sue Douglas on July 8, 2024 at 8:54 am

    Veronica, your mom will be missed but rest assured she’s with peace and in the comfort of God’s arms now.
    Prayers are going up for you and your siblings.
    God bless 🙌

  8. Rose Jackson on July 9, 2024 at 7:02 am

    Prayers and condolences to the whole family, your mother was a gem! Rose and Quincy Jackson ( the Virginia cousins)

  9. Shortybias on July 9, 2024 at 9:46 am

    Prayers and condolences to the Lewis family as growing up on 9th Street and coming over to hang out with Kendall all the time the girls would invite me in and Barbara was always polite to me and when me and kendall left Barbara would say you two stay out of trouble because if not il get ya both and tell your mother on you Mary Bias was known to Barbara and the family Rest Easy and Prayers to the Lewis family

  10. Stefanie Henry on July 10, 2024 at 9:11 am

    Condolences to all of you. Ms. Barb touched all of our lives in different ways, but she always had a smile on her face and was a pleasure to be with. I will always remember her playing her albums, singing and dancing.

  11. Tannica on July 10, 2024 at 12:14 pm

    Barb always welcomed me into her home, I have great memories of hanging out with Jay and Deb upstairs while Barb and her bestie -my Aunt Cindy, had drinks and played all the good music downstairs. Barb was one of the nicest, coolest Moms back then, but was stern when she needed to be. She was a great lady and will be truly missed! My deepest prayers and condolences to my cousins and their family, I love you all!!

    • Ed Gore on September 13, 2024 at 6:19 pm

      I am a Lyft driver and met Barbara as one of my passengers. We had very fruitful discussions of various aspects of life and we soon found we had similar views about faith, friends and importance of family….I felt we had some common bonds and truely had fun chatting along our rides. I provided her rides outside of the taxi platform and went out of my way to ensure she felt safe and well attended to along our ride. I am very saddened to just learn of her passing and I feel assured that she now is also in a safe and loving place with our heavenly father.

  12. Therese Gordon Sanders and Family on July 10, 2024 at 2:09 pm

    Ms. Barb’s kindness and strength touched countless lives including mine. Holding the family close in thought and prayer.

    • Jerolene Benton on July 12, 2024 at 5:55 am

      Our sincere condolences to the family. She was kind and amazing woman. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you.

      The Benton Family

  13. Susa Tran on July 18, 2024 at 10:55 am

    I send my condolences to Robert Sprague and his family. You have my prayers Robert going through times of destress of with the lost of your mother and going having to going through the resent hurricane we had. God has sail you through it all.💖🙏🙏🙏

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