Ann Barr Weems

Ann Barr Weems passed away at the age of 81 on March 17, 2016, in St. Louis, Missouri, where she lived for over fifty years, due to complications from a brain tumor. Mrs. Weems was born on July 9, 1934 in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father was Thomas Calhoun Barr, also of Nashville, a Presbyterian Minister. Her mother, Gladys Hutchison Barr, of Albany, New York, was a lawyer and an author of seven historical novels and children’s books, including The Bell Witch at Adams. Ann is survived by her husband, the Rev. Dr. Donald A. Weems; her children, Stuart and David Weems and Heather Weems-Elliott; her grandchildren, Barrett Weems, Christopher Simmons, Douglas Weems, Alexandria and Sofia Elliott, and Millie Phillips; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister and nephew Jane Barr Stump and Bob Stump; sisters-in-law Wanda and Judy Barr, and Louise Smart; cousins Arthur Stuff and Dale Morgan; and many nephews and nieces. Mrs. Weems is predeceased by her brothers, William H. Barr of Nashville, Tennessee and Dr. Thomas C. Barr, of Lexington, Kentucky. Mrs. Weems is also predeceased by her beloved son, Todd Calhoun Weems, who died in 1982 in St. Louis on his twenty-first birthday. Mrs. Weems noted in the epitaph she wrote for her son’s headstone, “He gave us the stars from his heart.” Ann Weems was a noted writer, speaker, liturgist and worship leader. Among her seven published books or collections of poems, meant to be used in worship, in personal devotions, and in discussions, are Kneeling in Jerusalem, Kneeling in Bethlehem and the best-selling Psalms of Lament. She is also the author of the critically-acclaimed poem, Balloons Belong in Church, about her then four-year old son, Todd, who brought an orange balloon with pink stripes to church school one Sunday morning. The memorial service will be held at 1pm on Monday, March 21, 2016, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, located at 6800 Washington Avenue in St. Louis. The graveside service will follow immediately at Oak Grove Cemetery, on Manchester Road, in St. Louis. The name of the funeral home in charge of arrangements is Gerber Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please give a memorial for Ann B. Weems, to either the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, or St. Jude Children's Hospital. The following is excerpted from Balloons Belong in Church, by Ann Weems: I took to church one morning a happy four-year-old boy Holding a bright blue string to which was attached his much loved orange balloon with pink stripes... He didn't have to tell me something had gone wrong Out it came, then -- mocking the teacher's voice, "We don't bring balloons to church." Then that little four-year old, his lip a little trembly, asked: "Why aren't balloons allowed in church? I thought God would like balloons." I celebrate children who walk in the mud and dawdle in the puddles who like to be tickled who bury their goldfish, sleep with the dog, who hug us in a hurry and rush outside without their hats Life is a celebration, an affirmation of God's love Life is distributing more balloons. For God so loved the world... Surely that's a cause for Joy. Where did we ever get the idea that balloons don't belong in the church?