Barbara Jean Rea

She was born February 18th, 1929, in Enid, OK, the daughter of Marvin W. and Cleo Earley Reynolds. She grew up in Memphis, TN and met Billy J. “Joe” Rea in Meridian, MS. They were married in 1957 also in Meridian. Barbara and Joe soon moved to Abilene, TX, then Wichita, KS where their two children were born and finally settled in Springfield in 1965. Barbara worked as a bookkeeper for two different auto dealerships in Omaha, as well as the Ditch Witch dealership in Omaha. She and Joe retired to Port Aransas, TX in 1996, where she continued to work as a bookkeeper and salesperson for an island gift and decor shop in Port Aransas. They moved to Kerrville in the Texas Hill Country in 2002 and lived there 10 years before relocating to Overland Park, KS for 10 years and finally moving to the Nebraska Masonic Home in 2022.

She loved attending church, studying the bible, seeing her grandchildren, her dog Holly and traveling, especially going on cruises. A highlight of their cruising was going through the Panama Canal. An annual “must do” was watching “White Christmas” each Christmas season. Barbara was known for always dressing stylishly and for her love of bright colors. She made many friends, whether in Springfield, Port Aransas, Kerrville, Overland Park, or the Masonic Home. The love and care shown to her by the Masonic Home is something for which her family will be forever grateful.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a brother, William Reynolds (infant), and her son Charles E. Pyles.

She is survived by her brother Randy Reynolds (Ki Tal) of Copperas Cove, TX, her son Mark (Ann) Rea of Kansas City, KS, daughter Trish Rea of Colorado Springs, CO, step-son David Rea of Sachse, TX, step-daughter Terre (Oscar) Heydari of Plano, TX, seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Rick (Diana) Rea of Colorado Springs, CO, nieces and nephews and her best friend of over 70 years Mary Catherine Stewart.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, May 14th at 2:00 PM at the Springfield Cemetery, Springfield, NE.