Barbara Jean Meikle

Barbara Meikle, age 83, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her home on February 12, 2019. Barbara grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended Hazel Grove Elementary School and Washington High School. At Hazel Grove she was a cheerleader.

Barbara retired from Midwest Embroidery Company where she worked for 26 years as an Embroidery Specialist Operator. She embroidered religious hangings for a Catholic and an Episcopal church in Kansas City. She was also privileged to work on vestments for Pope John Paul II. Her most special achievement, though, was when she helped to embroider the wedding canopy for Stephen Spielberg’s marriage. Barbara was the only Gentile who worked on this project.

Barbara had many hobbies: sewing, drawing, and coloring among them. Gardening was an especially favorite activity, and she loved flowers. When she became physically frail, her friend and caregiver Debbie fixed up a special garden area where Barb could sit while she planted, watered, and enjoyed her lovely blooms.

Barbara loved her dogs, Blossom and Little Man, old movies — especially Westerns — and the gifts people gave her. She was very fond of Native American artifacts and her collection of angel figurines.

Most of all, Barbara loved people. She enjoyed having friends in her home. Though she never had children, she loved her nieces and nephews, the children at True Light, and Debbie’s daughter Ashley.

Barbara joined True Light Church of the Nazarene in 1999. There she used her artistic gifts to create banners for the church. For many years, she prepared the communion elements for Sunday services. She also hosted Bible studies in her home.

Barbara had a compassionate heart. Every year she sent greeting cards to church members and friends on all the major holidays and other special occasions. On holidays, there was always a place in Barbara’s home for those who had nowhere to go.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, George Franklin Shook and Edith Tessie (Fry) Shook of Kansas City, Ks; her sister Sella Lee Morris and sister Beverly Knapp. Barbara will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.