Barbara (Walker) Gillum

A celebration of life will be held on May 28, 2021 with a service starting at 3:00 p.m. followed by come and go visitation with family until 6:00 p.m. at Antioch Community Church – Kids Auditorium, 510 N. 20th Street, Waco, Texas 76707.

Barbara grew up on the banks of the Ohio river in Gallipolis, Ohio. She came to Jesus as a young girl and set in her heart a desire to be a missionary someday. That dream would be fulfilled through her children and grandchildren. Barbara met her husband of over 61 years at Ohio University. Don and Barbara married and moved to Texas where they settled on a farm in Riesel. She completed her degree and graduated from Baylor University where she then enjoyed her career advising students at Hankamer School of Business for 22 years. Barbara had a heart for creativity and left her fingerprints on many people by sharing her gifts over the years through these different creative outlets. She took great joy in painting, drawing, pottery, weaving, music, sewing and baking. She passed many of these talents down to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her love of music was expressed in many ways. She served the Riesel community by directing the Riesel community choir for various events including the Christmas Cantata for 36 years. Barbara taught many children about her Savior through Sunday School songs. She expressed her love of the Lord by playing the piano and writing worship songs that blessed the Lord’s heart and those around her. Ofttimes the songs came to her in the middle of the night with her going to her piano and writing out the words and chords she said the Lord had given her. These, she would say, were here favorites as they were a personal expression between her and her God. She kept that song in her heart to the very end and even the week before she passed, she wrote a worship song with her grandson, Daniel. Many of her favorite times included her family and friends gathered around the piano signing while she played. Barbara had a giving heart. She spent many early morning hours (because “day old” was not acceptable} baking cinnamon rolls, kolaches and fresh bread to donate to various local organizations and churches for bake sales. She was well-known for her baked goods. Many of the paintings, drawings, and ceramic pieces she created were given away to anyone who crossed her path as her way of showing her love.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Ralph Walker and Katherine Walters Walker.

Barbara is survived by her Husband Donald Gillum, Daughter Darcy Guenat, Son Jeffrey Gillum and wife Tami, Grandchildren Lisa Zgarba and husband Jeremy, Katie Tullous and husband Kevin, Sarah Guenat, Daniel Guenat and Samuel Gillum, Great grandchildren Joseph, Kaydance, Hannah and Isabella Zgarba and Kamri Tullous, Sister Joyce Utz and brothers Ralph (Harriet) Walker Jr., Roger Walker and John (Linda) Walker and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” Proverbs 31:28

To continue Barbara’s passion for missions a memorial fund has been established and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Enduring House – Barbara Gillum Memorial Mission Fund, 2152 Sommerfeld Dr., Waco, Texas 76705.