Visitation will be from 5-7pm, Sunday July 30, at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral service will be 10:30 am, Monday, July 31, at Rockbridge Church of God Holiness 3515 Valencia Drive, Columbia, MO, with burial to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Barbara was born June 8, 1928, in Boone County, MO to Horace S. and Beatrice L. Whyte Johnson. She was a 1946 graduate of New Franklin High School, and on October 12, 1946, she married Jack Ravenscraft in the sitting room of Jack’s sister’s home in rural Rocheport. For the next 70+ years, they faithfully travelled life’s pathway together.
Prior to starting a family, Barbara worked as a bookkeeper at Boone County National Bank in Columbia. After the family moved to Kansas City, she became a stay-at-home mom, a role she relished and did well. Once the children were older, she re-entered the work force, working part time at Welbern’s Grocery in Rocheport. She later worked for the Director of the Memorial Union at the University of Missouri before finishing her career in the Athletic Ticket Office.
Barbara was never happier than when she was surrounded by children. Other than her family, perhaps her greatest legacy is rooted in the lives of the many children that passed through her Sunday School classroom. Generations of kids learned the Bible stories and songs about Jesus while sitting around her little table. She loved them – they loved her. Many of those relationships continue to this day.
Knitting and crocheting were two of her passions. Every family member is the proud owner of her handiwork. She was pretty handy with tools as well. If something was broke, she took great delight in tearing it apart, fixing it and putting it back together. She also loved to read, both for her own pleasure and for the benefit of others. Since she always read to her own children when they were small, it was only natural for her to continue that practice with her grandchildren as well. Often, she would record herself reading books and then mail the cassette tapes to them.
She is survived by her husband, Jack Ravenscraft; children, Duane (Beverly) Ravenscraft of Beckley, WV, Gene (Patty) Ravenscraft of Rocheport, Patricia Ravenscraft of Rocheport, and Bob (Kathryn) Ravenscraft of Easley, SC; seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, siblings, Wanda Trice of Ava, MO and Betty Engel of Fulton, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Wayne Johnson; stepfather, Herman Koch, and four stepbrothers.
Memorial contributions can be made to Rockbridge Church of God (Holiness).
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