Barbara M Shealy

COLUMBIA - Barbara Jean Myers Shealy died peacefully November 6, 2014. Barbara Jean was born on May 24, 1934 to Bennie and Elberta Derrick Myers. She was as beautiful as a baby as she was her entire life with her dark curly hair and adorable dimples. She was a 1952 graduate of Columbia High where she was Miss Columbian 1951, Homecoming Queen 1952, and a majorette. She played softball and was a great dancer. She received a majorette scholarship to the University of South Carolina. She worked at Southern Bell in the accounting department. She married Miller Williams Shealy, a Korean War veteran and local baseball great, in Reformation Lutheran Church on November 27, 1954. This year would have marked their 60th anniversary. She learned to play bridge by taking bridge classes with a few neighbors and they began a bridge club that lasted for 49 years. In 1959 they joined Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church where they were both very active. Barbara served on the Altar Guild and was a member of Lutheran Women. She taught Sunday School for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders for 29 years. She also was director of the Vacation Bible School for many years. She was the Chairperson of the Sanctuary Furnishing Committee and later the Education Building Furnishing Committee. She and Miller had two sons whom she was extremely proud of: Miller Williams Shealy, Jr. and Keenan Trent Shealy. While her boys were young, she organized and was president of the St. Andrews Swim Club. Barbara was a wonderful homemaker. She was an excellent cook and in addition to her family, her friends and her church members enjoyed her delicious meals. Barbara delighted in making holidays fantastic and created wonderful traditions for her family. She was so proud of her grandchildren who brought her great joy: Miller Williams Shealy, III, Chandler Kneece Shealy, Ella Caroline Shealy, and Mary Keenan Shealy. Her family will miss her greatly. She leaves behind her husband of 59 years, Miller Shealy, Sr., her older son, Miller Shealy, Jr (Jennifer Kneece) her younger son, Trent Shealy (Joyce Stoudemayer), Wills, Chandler, Ella, and Keenan and a number of beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral service for Barbara Myers Shealy, 80, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2014, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, with burial in the St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 until 6:00 p.m. Saturday, November 8, 2014, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The family would like to thank Dr. Fred Smith, Dr. Rodney Rhinehart and their staffs, the Amedisys Hospice of South Carolina and the Agape Hospice House for their tender care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 1416 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.