Barbara Ann Woods

Barbara Ann Woods, nee Starnes, was called home to heaven on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. She was 89 years old.

    Barbara was born on October 10, 1933, in Cushing, Oklahoma, the second of seven children to Tassie Otis and Felecia (Cockrell) Starnes. She will be deeply missed by her surviving siblings: sisters Darlene White (Jack), and Sharon Hansel (John), and brothers Les Starnes (Sally), and Darrell Starnes (Judy). She was preceded in death by brothers Donald Starnes, Raymond Starnes, David Starnes, and sister Clara Clawson.

    On August 16, 1950, she married Earl F. Woods, in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. Together, they raised five children: Steven Woods (Terri), Deborah Heal (Bob), Kenneth Woods (Kathy), Marvin Woods, and Susan Steingrubey (Harry). Barbara's children blessed her with a legacy of ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished her family above all else; they were the light of her life and a source of love and joy. She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Marvin, her daughter-in-law Terri Woods, and her son-in-law Harry Steingrubey.

    She worked at the Alton Mental Health Center from 1966-76. She later earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1983, and then worked for the Illinois Cooperative Extension from 1985 to 1995 and the Alton Community Counseling Center from 1988 to 1999.

     Barbara was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waterloo. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and provided her with joy and solace; she found lifelong comfort and strength in her belief in God.

      Her legacy of love, kindness, and generosity will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, and she will be deeply missed.

       “Soon I shall hear the call from Heaven's portals; ‘Come home, my child, it's the last mile you have trod’; I'll fall asleep and wake in God's new heaven; Forever sheltered in the arms of God.”

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to: 
First Baptist Church of Waterloo Mission Fund

A private celebration of life service will be held at a future date.