Barbara Jean Slater, age 86, of Lee’s Summit and formerly of Higginsville, joined our Lord and Savior Monday, February 7, 2022.
She was born January 21, 1936 in Higginsville to William and Addie (Jenkins) Marcks.
Barbara lived a rich and rewarding life.
She grew up on a small farm in Higginsville, Missouri with two other siblings, her sister Ann and brother Don. Barb was no stranger to hard work and soon put her passion and work ethic into pursuing a degree in education. She achieved a bachelor’s degree from CMSU in Warrensburg and further accomplished a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Barb taught for 31 years; from a simple beginning of a small one room country schoolhouse off Hwy 13 between Warrensburg and Higginsville teaching all eight grades, to further sharing her talents in the Kansas City area. She taught at Blue Ridge Elementary School and Laurel Hills Elementary. Once she got her advanced reading certificate, she became a Title 1 reading teacher at Pittman Middle School and finished her career in education at Eastwood Hills Elementary School.
After leaving the school system, Barb tutored English as a second language to elementary students in Raytown.
Barbara loved children and delighted watching them get excited about learning. She adored reading stories aloud and would wear special aprons her mother, Addie made for her with extra pockets placed inside, where there would be hand puppets and other items to bring the story alive and enthrall the children! Barb enlisted her mother Addie’s help to make poster boards and many other unique and special items that would make Barb’s classroom brighten up and inspire children and their love of learning. She had several collections of children’s books, puppets, childhood games, teaching supplies and was ALWAYS teaching and spreading the joy of learning to others.
Barbara also loved animals. When she saw a stray cat or dog, she just had to rescue it. She adopted several dogs and cats over the years and had a tender place in her heart for them.
Barb also supported her alma mater Mizzou and loved the Chiefs!
Even though Barb didn’t have children of her own, she gave great love and affection to her nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Barbara spent many years taking them places and doing many things with and for them. Many of us recall her amazing ability to speed walk…everywhere! And her unique knack to stop her tan 1960’s Oldsmobile on a dime!
Barb had many friends, family, and cousins that she frequently spent time with, especially her sister Ann. We’ll always remember the beautiful bond and relationship Barb had with Ann and always calling her, “Sister”, instead of by her first name. Barb missed her sister dearly when Ann passed away two years ago.
Just as Barb had an endearing love for education and her Lord, so followed her 30-year friendship with her friends Sandy and Judy who had the pleasure of making many memories with her.
Even though Barbara was born on a small farm in Higginsville, Missouri, she did big things to impact others in the field of education, the relationships she fostered through the years and the loving role she had with her nieces and nephews and their children. She loved Jesus and rests in His arms, free from sickness, reunited again with her siblings, parents, and loved ones.
She is survived by her niece and nephews, and their children: Alicia Jones, sons, Dakota, Cole, Jackson, Garrett Buhlig (wife Gretchen), daughter Hannah, son Braeden Yvette Peace(husband Matt), son Logan, daughter Emma Chan (husband Carlos), daughter Audrey Bart Buhlig (wife Monica), son Max, daughter Ella Donald Marcks brother’s family Patrick Marcks, son Corey.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 15, at Salem United Church of Christ in Higginsville, where visitation begins at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the City Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Salem United Church of Christ or the Humane Society as Barb was a member of both.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.kaiserwiegers.com.