Barbara Berry Stubbs

Barbara Berry Stubbs of Atlanta died Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at Canterbury Court, surrounded by her children and beloved caregivers. She had fallen the previous August and never fully recovered from the trauma. Born in Atlanta, Mrs. Stubbs spent most of her youth in Macon, GA, graduating from Miller High School where she was the editor of the yearbook. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, where she was also editor of the yearbook. She concluded her education at her beloved University of Georgia in Athens with a degree in Journalism. After graduation Mrs. Stubbs worked in advertising until starting her family. Mrs. Stubbs loved children from an early age, especially babies, and recalled volunteering to push neighborhood babies in their baby carriages whenever she could. The joy of her life was having four babies of her own, and raising them to love and appreciate one another, since, as an “only” child, she missed having siblings of her own. She thoroughly enjoyed being “Nonnie” to her own children’s children, and even to their children. Her second great-grandchild, born only last month, she “met” via photographs, but she adored him instantly and said to tell him “Welcome to the family.” Mrs. Stubbs loved music, especially organ music and jazz. Her favorite part of every church holiday was the music. She sang in the church choir and also organized Christmas caroling parties. She also loved flowers, served many years on the flower guild, and filled the walls of her home with artwork that featured flowers. She loved dogs and was on a first-name basis with all those living at Canterbury Court. Mrs. Stubbs was a talented cook who loved to host celebrations and other gatherings in her home like her annual Derby Party, complete with mint juleps. Even at church spaghetti or pancake suppers, she took on the role of Martha, in the kitchen, making preparations, and making sure the guests were served. For several years Mrs. Stubbs involved herself in “Tea for Tuesdays,” a monthly lunch and enrichment program for the elderly, sponsored by St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. This experience engendered patience and compassion for the elderly and most providentially prepared her for caring for her own mother in her mother’s later years. Mrs. Stubbs loved the beach, traveling, especially to the British Isles and Camden, ME, playing bridge, NOT sewing at her monthly “Sewing Group,” celebrating friends’ birthdays over lunch at the Swan Coach House, boiling and eating fresh shrimp bought right off the boat, indulging in Rhodes Bakery’s caramel cake, but most of all Barbara Stubbs loved her family. Mrs. Stubbs was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Stubbs and is survived by her daughters, Susan Stubbs Brown (Michael L.), Stacy Stubbs; sons, William Jefferson Stubbs, Jr. (Julie Dunbar), John Berry Stubbs (Ruth Gorman); 11 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Reception with the family in the Fellowship Hall to follow.