Barbara Joann
Worley
December 21, 1947 - October 19, 2020
Barbara Joann Worley of Florence, AL, passed away Monday, October 19, 2020. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at Old Fashioned United Baptist Church of Independence in Attica, IN. Ministers Joel Whitehead and Henry Bell Jr. will officiate the service. A private burial will be held at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette, IN.
Joann was born in the Appalachian mountain country of Kentucky to a GI father who had been liberated from a Nazi prison camp only 2 years before, and to a very young 17 year old mother. Joann was their first child. Tragically, when Joann was only 4, she and her 2 year old baby sister, Pauline, were struck with whooping cough and very high fevers. Pauline declined into a vegetative state and passed away at 7 years old and Joann became mentally disabled. Through all this, their mom provided them and all their siblings with a loving home as dad struggled to make ends meet. Though Joann could not count much past 10, she was a quick observer who could help others find misplaced keys or a brush. And though she couldn’t read, she loved word-search books and could find words that were backwards and upside-down quickly. But her three great joys were cowboys, puzzles, and gospel singing. She especially loved Bonanza—more importantly –Little Joe—for whom she held a secret flame and always had a picture of him by her bed. She could spend tireless hours at jigsaw puzzles, working methodically piece by piece, and could hardly be torn away from them. But church and old-time gospel singing was central to her as she celebrated her salvation—and she hummed the songs with joy. She has long missed her mom and dad, and was overheard recently in her sleep saying she would see them soon. Now, with a clear mind, she can run to them, and Him. We are left with a puzzle piece missing, but her puzzles are now complete.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kelley and Goldie Worley and sister, Pauline Worley.
Survivors include her sisters, Donna Burton (Danny) and Gloria Mullins (Doug), and brother, Joel Worley (Debbie).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the name of Barbara Worley to Blue Door Thrift Store/ Scope 310, 4129 Helton Drive, Florence, AL 35630.
You may sign the guest register at sprywilliam.com
Memorial Service-Friday Oct. 30, 2020 Old Fashion United Baptist Church of Independence Attica, IN 47918
October 30, 2020
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Memorial Service-Friday Oct. 30, 2020 Old Fashion United Baptist Church of Independence Attica, IN 47918
Old Fashion United Baptist Church of Independence, 7758 Cicott Rd Attica, IN 47918
October 30, 2020 1:30 pm
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5 Comments on “Barbara Joann Worley”
Joann was always at church everytime her parents came she was with them. She was a faithful servant of Jesus. I remember her and her family from attending the same church. I have known this precious family from my youth up to adulthood. Joann was a sweet and wonderfully kind person and now she is at rest with the Lord.
I will see you later Joann.
Joann had a gentle spirit and I always enjoyed chatting with her. I now know there was so much I did not know about her. What a life story she had and the obituary was so beautifully written. My life was blessed by the moments I spent talking with her. I am so glad our paths crossed. My love and thoughts are with Donna and Dan and the rest of the family.
I remember JoAnn from when we would go visit Aunt Goldie and Uncle Kelly. It was always a nice time and enjoyed being with my cousin JoAnn. She always smiled and was so kind.
Joanne was such a kind and gentle person. She smiled easily and brightened up our office for many years. I know she will be missed. My condolences to Donna, Danny, and the rest of her family.
Joann was a sweetheart. My mom, Mildred Elrod, would bring her a gift for birthday and Christmas which thrilled my mom to see Joann’s infectious smile! Joann truly did love coming to church and she always was seated next to her lovely mother. We thank God that He allowed us to enjoy her presence as long as He did. She is home now and smiling non-stop!