Barbara J. Woolford

Barbara Woolford, 86, of Lee's Summit, Mo., passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2012. She was born Oct. 27, 1925, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Roy and Lulu Jenkins, the youngest of four daughters. Barbara grew up in Oskaloosa, graduating from high school in 1943. During those years, she was active in many musical groups, plays, choir and glee clubs. She started playing in a school band in grade school and continued through high school with both concert and marching bands. Barbara attended Iowa State College at Ames, Iowa, and Drake University at Des Moines, where she majored in music. After working for the government as a secretary, she moved to Springfield, Mo. While working there as a secretary for Paul Mueller Co., she met her future husband, Bill Woolford. They were married Aug. 8, 1951, and then moved to K.C., Mo., where Bill joined the U.S. Postal Service as a railway mail clerk. They lived in Raytown, Mo., for 32 years. She was a member of the Raytown Christian Church and taught primary class for a number of years. She was president of the Railway Mail Auxiliary of K.C., and a hospital volunteer. She enjoyed flowers and gardening, and was one of the early members of the Southwood Garden Club of Raytown. They moved to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1983. She was a member of the Community Church. She was active in Women's Club, and volunteered at area hospitals and historical locations. She moved to Lee's Summit in January 2010, following the death of her husband. Barbara is survived by two daughters, Terrie (Barry) Sanders, Grain Valley, Mo., Karen (Murphy) Givens, Corpus Christi, Texas; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Friends may call Monday, May 7, 2012, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Floral Hills Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Burial in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. (Arr: Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., K.C., MO 64133, 816-353-1218).