Barbara (Reitmeier) Gregory, 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 20, 2022, surrounded by her children, in Columbus, Georgia. She was born on June 23, 1928, in Munich, Germany to Barbara (Niedemayer) Reitmeier and Ludwig George Reitmeier. She and her twin sister Katharina were the fourth and fifth child, respectively, among five children, including brother Ludwig, and sisters Anne and Bettel (who died as an infant).
Barbara attended boarding school and college in Germany before marrying Clayton Everett Gregory, who at the time was serving with the United States Air Force in Germany. They had three children, Carl, Brigitta and James. They also lived in Texas, New Mexico and Kansas before retiring to Orlando, Florida. They moved to Columbus, Georgia in 1996 to be closer to their children and grandchildren who lived in the area.
Barbara was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother and a skilled homemaker and cook. She was an expert at preparing German specialties and cakes and would regularly host dinners at her home in Columbus for a dozen or more family members and friends. Until her health very recently declined, she lived a fully independent life and did all of her own cooking and homemaking.
Born into a large farming and merchant family outside of Munich, Barbara was very proud of her German family and heritage. She traveled to Germany most every year and visited over 50 countries during her lifetime, including an extended African safari when she was almost 80 years old. She was an avid reader and interested in many subjects and cultures. She was a loyal and devoted friend to many. She was very engaging and a wonderful conversationalist; upon first meeting her, many noted her wonderful spirit and charm. Above all, Barbara was devoted to her family and her faith, which gave her great comfort.
Barbara was a member of the parish at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Orlando and St. Anne Catholic Church in Columbus. For many years, she was active with the Cosmopolitan Club in Florida, a social club for internationally born women. She supported and donated to many causes, including animal welfare and outreach for the needy.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband Clayton, who passed away on Thanksgiving 2007, and her siblings Bettel, Anne and Ludwig. Her twin sister Katharina Winfield, who lives in Fűrstenfeldbruck, Germany and will be 94 in June, survives her. She is also survived by her three children, Carl Gregory, Brigitta Riale (both resident in Smiths, Alabama), James Gregory (resident in New York, New York) and in-laws Jimmy Riale and Mayo Castro; grandchildren Jason, Joshua, Christi, Cameron, Kurtis, Clayton, Kathryn and Robert; and seven great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus 31907. A funeral mass will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2000 Kay Circle, Columbus, GA 31907, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 beginning at 11:30 am and presided over by Father Scott Winchell (preceded by the praying of the Rosary beginning at 11:00 am). A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
A private family graveside ceremony will be held later at Parkhill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following organizations supported by Barbara:
St. Judes Childrens Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude
Valley Rescue Mission
2903 2nd Avenue
Columbus, GA 31904
https://www.valleyrescuemission.org/waystogive
East Alabama Humane Society
712 13th St East,
Phenix City, AL 36867
https://www.eahs4pets.com
