Barbara Jean (Batty) Ross

Barbara Jean (Batty) Ross, 92, of Oklahoma, died September 20, 2024, at her home.  She was born August 31, 1932, in Macoupin County, IL. to William Everett and Leota Mae (Garner) Batty growing up in the farming communities of Fayette and Rubicon near Greenfield, IL.

A 1950 graduate of Greenfield High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Lyle “Bob” Ross September 6, 1950, just a few days after her 18th birthday.

The young couple moved to Carbondale, IL where Bob soon graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in childhood education.  From there they moved to Fort Worth, Texas where Bob attended four years at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Barbara helped support their family working as an upholsterer's assistant.

  Barbara had a full and intensely influential life as wife to a full time Southern Baptist Pastor.  Together, she and Bob touched many lives and hearts while serving small to medium-sized churches in several Illinois communities including Morton (near Peoria), Godfrey (near Alton), Quincy and DeKalb.  She often remarked that her High School Home Economics teacher had prepared her very well to cook, sew and maintain the household for her active family.  Undoubtedly, she left each parsonage in pristine condition.  Barbara enjoyed music and played snare drum in her High School band.  She added to that the ability to play piano and sing.  Utilizing artistic flair, she often made posters to promote various church activities.  And many people have loved her for quick wit, irony and on-point perception.  A lifelong Night Owl, Barbara worked long after sunset and bedtime to keep her family in freshly pressed clothes and to cheer on talk show host Johnny Carson.  

Retirement saw Barbara and Bob moving to Chatham. IL in 1994.  They enjoyed traveling to visit children and grandchildren.  They also wintered in Fort Myers, FL and Mesa, AZ.  

After nearly 10 years of retirement they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to live near daughter Carol and her husband Tim.  In 2013 they jointly bought a house to bring generations together under one roof.  Bob passed away in 2016 from Alzheimer's.  Barbara remained in the joint household until her death.  

Barbara is known and loved for her strong commitment to the Lord and her family.  Her family expresses their deep appreciation to South Tulsa Baptist, the extraordinary team of Care Assistants who provided in-home support the last two years of her life and Transitions Life Care Hospice.  Many people poured into Barbara and her family during her final months and days. 

Barbara is survived by her children, Carol (Tim) Lyons, Gary (Elizabeth) Ross, and Ellen (Salvatore) Guttuso, her grandchildren, Andrea (Jason) Sooter, Vanessa (Collin) Campbell, Philip Ross, Jack Ross, and Izabella Guttuso.  She was preceded in death by her husband and an infant son, Craig Allen Ross.

Private family interment will be on the family lot in Oak Wood Cemetery in the Spring of 2025.  Shields-Bishop Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements. Please leave a memory or condolence at shields-bishopfh.com

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