Barbara Marilyn Hutchins McKoon of Phenix City, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her home on November 30, 2019. She was 88 years old. Funeral services will be held to honor her at Striffler-Hamby on Macon Road in Columbus, Georgia at 1:00 p.m. eastern time on December 3, 2019. Visitation will precede the funeral at noon.
Barbara was born on March 8, 1931 to Thomas C. Hutchins and Hilma A. Hutchins. Her husband, James R. McKoon, preceded her in death, in 1991. Barbara is survived by their children, James R. McKoon, Jr. and Barbara Jane Gilliam, both of whom live in Phenix City, Alabama, her two sisters, Anne Boroughs of Greenville, South Carolina and Cynthia Hickman of Phenix City, Alabama, her grandchildren, Josh McKoon, Patrick McKoon, Chase McKoon and Kelley Sparks, and two great grandchildren, Cameron Sparks and Laney Sparks.
Barbara grew up in Phenix City, graduated from Central High School in 1948, and was Salutatorian of her class. In 1950, she met and married James McKoon, a World War II Veteran, who had served in the Pacific Theater. They met at American Service Company in Columbus where they both worked. Shortly thereafter, she went to work for Commercial Printers, which later became Lithokrome in the art department. She was especially talented in creating all kinds of commercial art. She worked there until James opened a small grocery store on the corner of 8th Street and 5th Avenue in Columbus. Later the family moved to Phenix City, where they operated several businesses over the years to include a grocery store, gas station, laundromat and mobile home park. Barbara stood shoulder to shoulder with James in these businesses and was truly his partner in life. Everything Barbara did in managing the finances of the businesses were done with exact precision. An excellent manager and bookkeeper, she was extremely smart and could perform almost any task to the highest caliber.
Barbara became a caregiver to James during his long fight with Parkinson’s disease until his death, in 1991 and then caretaker to her mother, Hilma Hutchins, until she passed away. All the time she continued to manage the mobile home business and make time for other members of her family. Barbara loved dogs, older Broadway musicals, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, her sisters, and other family members. She was a diehard conservative, tough, smart and competent. She was no non-sense in her approach to everything and above all, practical. Special thanks to her caregivers. Also to her hairdresser at Dixie Cuts, Norma and to Larry Dixon and Dwight Moore, for their help along the way.
Her family’s love is sent with her, as she is now in God’s arms. She will be missed by all.
