Barbara Tonsmeire Yonge

She was preceded in death by her son William Maurice “Will” Tonsmeire, Jr., her stepson Steven Emory Yonge, her step son-in-law Vic Sherrill, her first husband William Maurice “Bubba” Tonsmeire, her parents Lester Henry White and Mary Pope White, a sister Sandra White Fitts, a brother Lester Henry White, Jr., and brother-in-law Francis Anthony Poggi.

She is survived by her husband of 32 years Preston Grady Yonge, her children Patricia Tonsmeire Lubitz and Susan Diane Johnson (Steven), her sister Sharon White Poggi and sister-in-law Emily White Cook. She is survived by Preston’s children Dr. Lynn E. Yonge (Cori), Rebecca Yonge Sherrill and his daughter-in-law Cyndee Guesnard Yonge. Her grandchildren are Melanie Lubitz Gilstrap (Walt), Sarah Elizabeth Lubitz, Ann Elissa Yonge, Genna Rose Yonge, Colby Yonge (Charlotte), and Emory Ann Yonge (Kendall). She leaves behind one great grandchild Emma Kate Yonge and cherished in-laws, nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Murphy High School where she was a member of Delta Beta Sigma sorority. She worked for the Mobile office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation until she was expecting her first child. She was a member of several civic organizations including the Mobile Jayceettes and America’s Junior Miss.

When she had a family, she served as a leader for both Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops and was a member of the Deep South Girl Scout Council. She served on the board of The Mobile Dyslexia Association.

She was a creative person at first in decoupaging and later as a watercolor artist. She enjoyed traveling and showing her work and being a part of the art community. She was an associate member of the Southern Watercolor Society. She was a member of the Fine Arts Museum of the South, the Mobile Art Association, the Watercolor and Graphic Arts Society of Mobile, and the Eastern Shore Art Association. She supported the arts as a member of the Art Patrons League. She co-owned and operated The Upham Gallery to promote the works of local artists.

She was a lifelong member of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church. Her spiritual life was active and focused on others. She was a Meals on Wheels driver, a member of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and a member of the Bad Girls Bible Study. The people in her life were always important to her. She had a gift for celebrating others, reaching out to them, and responding to their needs.

Funeral services will be November 21, 2023 at 10 a.m. from Dauphin Way United Methodist Church with visitation starting at 9 a.m., burial will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery on Dauphin Island Parkway.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the St. Stephens Society at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church.