Barbara Ann (Payne) Grant was born on September 15^th,1936 and left us on September 13^th, 2026. She was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma, aunt, friend, and member of True Hope Church.

Barbara was born in Diggins, Missouri to Milton and Cleo Payne. Early in life the family moved to the Ventura and Santa Paula California area where she grew up with her sister and best friend Phyllis. In her early teen years, the family moved back to Halfway, Missouri where she started high school where she met “the last boy available” to invite on the hayride, Gene. They were married on September 19^th,1955 and were a devoted and loving couple. They had been married 63 years at the time of Gene’s passing, and she very much missed the love of her life.

Barbara was saved July 28^th,1946 on a Sunday night, at Limoneria Church in Santa Paula, California. She joined the church and was a faithful member throughout her life. Barbara and Gene were charter members of True Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo (She was the last charter member to leave this life). True Hope and God were their life. Gene was a deacon and Barbara a faithful deacon’s wife. The doors of their home were always open, and table spread for all the preachers, members, and friends of True Hope. They absolutely loved being with their friends at True Hope.

She loved to tell stories about growing up in California, at Halfway, Going to Draughon’s Business college and living at the YWCA in Springfield, and moving to Paducah, Kentucky when Gene was stationed at Fort Knox. The stories were all about her experiences with Mother and Daddy, Phyllis, Gene, Family and friends. Her hobbies were reading the Bible, playing the piano (but never in public or around people), playing Scrabble, working puzzles, arranging flowers, and sewing for “the little babies” at New Borns in Need.

Barbara was a long-time resident of Ravenwood Senior Living where she had many friends. We want the staff to know how much we appreciate their love and care for Mom. With special thanks to Cheryl for the love and good care of her Barbie Girl and Speedy. Also, many thanks to St. Croix Hospice and Visiting Angels for their compassion and care.

Barbara was preceded in death by her father and mother Milton and Cleo Payne, Sister and brother in-law Phyllis and Bill Smith, her Husband Gene, father and mother in-law Willard and Alice Grant, grandson Nathan Grant and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She will be greatly missed by her children Jerry and Robin Grant, Judy and Breht Burri, Grandchildren Jason and Lisa Grant, Payne and Mindy Grant, Griffin and Nate O’Toole, and great grand children Jack, Alice, Lincoln, and Georgia Grant. Along with many family and friends. Mom, Grandma Barbara, Nannie Barbara, Auntie, Grandma Three will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Borns in Need, Springfield MO.

Mom’s chosen profession was Mom. She worked out of the home as a Kindergarten Aid and clerk at Heers when the kids were grown but her profession was always Mom. She was always full of love and care for Judy and I with plenty left for Breht and Robin, grandkids, great grandkids, nephews, family and our friends.

She had a wonderful knack for detecting a tall tale and guiding you back to the truth, along with a bar of soap to “help keep your mouth clean”. She was quick to let you know that hate was the worst word in the English language and to practice it was even worse. She was always there on Friday and Saturday evening, before you left the house, to remind us to remember who you are, don’t let your standards down, along with “remember my motto, moderation”. Mom will be remembered by many for her fried chicken, chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, cheesecake, noodles, and rolls. Especially the chocolate cake which was baked on Saturday and forbidden to be touched until Sunday dinner unless you were a grandchild.  It has often been said “a boy’s best friend is his mother”, this is true. Love you Mom.

A funeral service  for Barbara will be held at Pitts Chapel in Bolivar, MO at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 18, 2026. The visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Online condolences may be left at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.