Obituary of Barbara Lou Kinder

Barbara Lou (Mahan) Kinder was born October 15, 1935 in St Louis MO to James Pharris and Lois Alva (Martin) Mahan. She went to be with her Lord on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at Licking MO at the age of 84. Barbara married Leroy Kinder on December 14, 1953. To this union three children were born-Roger Lee, Deborah Lynn, and Wanda Sue. Her parents owned and operated the Sherrill Store and by school age had sold the store and moved to the Maples area. She attended Concord Grade School, a one room schoolhouse. At the age of 11, she “bussed” other kids at times with her daddy's cattle truck to school. When not able to take the truck she sometimes rode her horse Trigger. She always laughed and said she was the only “cowgirl” in Maples. From there she attended and graduated Licking High School in 1953. At an early age she accepted Jesus Christ and never looked back. Everyone who knew Barbara Kinder, knew a woman who loved the Lord. If her family had a penny for every time they heard it said how wonderful of a lady she was, they would be rich! She took only 7 piano lessons at a young age and taught herself how to play by ear, a blessing for the many who heard her play at Rock Springs, Anutt Full Gospel and numerous revivals throughout her life. She sang many specials including songs she had written. The favorite and most requested being “Walking on New Ground”. She was a Sunday School and VBS teacher for decades, always teaching the kids John 3:16-For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, for whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. She leaves a legacy to her children and grandchildren to “always do what’s right and you won’t have to worry about what you’ve done wrong”. Being a homemaker was truly what she was born and called to be. Many meals, treats, and specialty items she would fix for one and all. When her and Leroy were first married, his requests were a pot of beans and a pie a day-and that is exactly what he got! Her kids and grandkids had their favorites from cream puffs, pickles, spaghetti, waffles, beans and cornbread with wilted lettuce on top, fried taters, and meatloaf. One of her greatest gifts was being a witty philosopher, always ready with a clever reply, a couple of our favorites being: “Keep your own doorstep clean and you won’t have to worry about cleaning someone else’s” When her children said I can’t do something, she always would reply “Can’t died in the cornfield trying to find couldn’t” Barbara is survived by her son, Roger (Betty) Kinder, daughter, Wanda (Larry) Moncrief, and son-in-law, Lenzy Smith-all of Licking, MO; grandchildren, Dale (Stephanie) Kinder, Roy (Carrie) Kinder, Debrina Smith, Amanda (Colt) McNew, Cassie (Andy) Richardson, Laraea Moncrief, Ethan (Haley) Kinder, and Chance (Chelsea) Moncrief; great grandchildren, Kyle (Katie) Kinder, Kasey (Kaleb) Boos, Kailie, Katie, Addie, Pearcy, Adrian, Parker, Adam, Colten, Khloe, Karter, Colby, Kinder, Janie, Erham, Archer, Arrow, Adeline, Kreed, Olivia Lou; one great-great grandchild, Kollin & another grandson due in September; and brother-in-law, Bob Sargent-West Plains. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leroy; daughter, Deborah Smith; sister, Jeanette Parker; brother-in-law, Lynn Kinder; and sisters-in-law, Kay Kinder and Jean Sargent. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barbara’s name can be made to World Vision at https://www.worldvision.org/donate