Barbara Alene Stuart Meads passed away on June 8th, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born in San Antonio, Texas, to Homer and Esta Mae Stuart. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Robert Stuart and William Stuart, her husband of 60 years, Phillip Hill Meads, and two sons, Phillip Hill Meads Jr. and Tass Allen Meads. She is survived by her daughter, Connie Meads Palmer Markham, her son Lindsay Ross Meads, her sister-in-law Kandi Stuart, daughters-in-law Brenda Elliott, and Jeanette Meads. Additionally, she is survived by her bonus son Gary Cotton, grandchildren Ticia Meads, Abby Palmer, Stuart Palmer, Gretchen Coyle, Grant Elliott, Debbie Meads, and David Newell, as well as great-grandchildren Heather Buzbee, Matt Buzbee, and Addy Palmer, and great-great-grandson Mylan Flores.

Barbara attended high school in El Paso, where she joined the Civil Air Patrol and learned to fly. She later moved and graduated from Sunset High School. She then attended the University of Texas, where she met Philip. They married in October of 1950 and began a family, embarking on a life filled with many careers and adventures together. While living in Mineola, Barbara owned her own real estate agency and served as the president of the Ladies Chamber of Commerce. After relocating to Vernon, Texas, she enrolled in nursing school at Midwestern State University. She worked as a surgical nurse in several hospitals in Texas before Philip got a job with Lockheed Martin, which led them both to Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, Barbara worked in Jeddah as an infection control coordinating nurse. After returning to the United States several years later, Barbara ventured into a new field of nursing, focusing on long-term care facilities and nursing homes. It was during this time that she met her best friend and coworker, Gary Cotton. Barbara and Gary worked together at several nursing homes during her later years.

Barbara and Phillip eventually retired to Seymour, Texas, to be closer to their family. In Seymour, Barbara started working at the local nursing home, where she dedicated several years of service. Apart from nursing, Barbara enjoyed oil painting and generously gifted her paintings to many of her coworkers from around the world. She had a passion for travel and loved taking the entire family on various trips. Barbara was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and found joy in singing during church services. Her favorite church song was "He Keeps Me Singing," which is a fitting reflection of her life.