Barbara Frances Spear

Barbara Frances Spear (95 years old) passed away on July 20, 2023. She was born in Baxter Springs, KS to Delmar Reyburn and Nettie Burnett Reyburn on December 16, 1927. Barbara was proud of her hometown and adored her family. Her father was a barber, and her mother owned her own dress shop in town. Barbara was an avid churchgoer as a child and her favorite subject in school was accounting. She was always very organized and good with numbers.

From 1951-1952, Barbara was a flight attendant for Mid-Continent Airlines/Braniff International Airways. Some of her favorite memories were taking the bus from the Country Club Plaza to the airport with her best friend Kay McGuff. Her flight attendant career came to an end when she decided to marry her husband, O.E. Gilmore (a WWII Air Force Veteran). The two married in 1953 and had four children.

In May 1957, Barbara and her family were survivors of the Ruskin Heights tornado. Barbara was always a fighter and put her family first. Despite their house being decimated by the storm, her children survived that day because of her bravery.

In 1967, her husband O.E. suddenly passed away, Barbara once again stepped up to the plate to take care of her family. She started a job at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) as Assistant to the Chancellor, George Russell. She was very proud of her role and had many fond memories of her time at UMKC. It was there that she met the love of her life Professor of Education and WWII Navy Veteran, George E. Spear, Jr.

Barbara and George E. Spear, Jr. married in 1972. George had three children of his own and they happily became a family of nine. They started their marriage in Raytown, MO, but soon moved to Belton, MO to live on 45 acres of land. The Belton, MO farm was a special place for the family to gather, especially around Christmas time. She spent many years laboring over the family’s favorite dishes: noodles and peanut brittle.

In the early 1980s, Barbara and George moved to Lakewood in Lee’s Summit, MO. The couple met lifelong friends there. Barbara was part of several bridge groups, a garden club, and numerous golf teams. The first tee box was behind their house, and she and George spent years playing golf together with their cherished Lakewood friends. In her later years, Barbara also enjoyed critiquing golfers’ swings, watching for birds, and admiring her peonies from her deck view. She also enjoyed cheering on her Royals/Chiefs, playing bridge, and beating her family members in one of her favorite games, gin rummy.

Barbara was the most fun, spunky, and caring mother and grandmother. She was absolutely adored by her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother H.O. Reyburn, sister Pauline Sexton, husbands (O.E. Gilmore and George E. Spear, Jr.), daughter Barbara Lynd, and stepdaughter Leslie Brock. She is survived by her children Brent L. Gilmore (Lee’s Summit, MO), Mark L. Gilmore (Lakewood, CO), and Susan K. Wise (Dallas, TX). And stepchildren, Brett M. Spear (Olathe, KS) and Michael B. Spear (Minneapolis, MN). She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

A Visitation will be held at the Belton Christian Church on Saturday, August 5, 2023 from Noon-1:00pm, with Memorial Service beginning at 1pm. Inurnment will follow in the Belton Cemetery at 2:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the UMKC Foundation. Please click on the link below the obituary for information. Checks may be delivered in person, or mailed to the address on the link. Please include Barbara's name in the check memo.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleygeorgegrandview.com for the Spear family.