Barb was born on September 30, 1934, the second child and only daughter of George and Carrie (Yeaman) Cunningham. She graduated from Lanphier High School where she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) L. Walbert. They married on October 18, 1952, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. They went on to have four children, Robert, Richard, Maryann, and Ronald (RG).
Barb was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, George Robert (Bobby) Cunningham and Gerald A. (Jerry) Cunningham; and her son, Ronald G. (RG) Walbert.
She is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob) Walbert; sons, Robert (Kathi) Walbert, Jr. and Richard (Kristin) Walbert; daughter, Maryann (John) Cartwright; six grandchildren, R. Alvey Walbert, L. Andrew Walbert, Carrie E. (Keith) Johnson, Leslie K. (Ryan) Farris, Bridget M. (Jason) Stokes, and Jayme Lynn (fiancé, Erik Johnson) Cartwright; and eleven great-grandchildren, Kathirine Walbert, Kaleigh Walbert, Maggie Farris, Scott Farris, J.J. Farris, Tyler Johnson, Savannah Johnson, Clayton Johnson, Graham Stokes, Alice Stokes, and Reid Stokes.
Barbara was fiercely loyal to her immediate and extended family. She was a loving and supportive daughter, spouse, mother, aunt, grandma, and great-grandma. She had dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and her happiest moments were spent at family gatherings, often in her home. She offered help without judgement whenever it was needed.
She spent over 30 years working along-side her aunts and cousins as a caterer, making thousands of cakes and cupcakes. She also volunteered for many years, with her husband, Bob, at Springfield Catholic Charities - Holy Family Food Pantry. Barb loved to dance and could not be kept from the dancefloor when there was an opportunity. Years before the availability of on-line tools, she worked extensively on her maternal and paternal genealogy, traveling to courthouses and cemeteries to document her ancestors in volumes she shared with her family.
A memorial gathering will be held at Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield, IL on Tuesday, February 6th, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. with a prayer service to follow at 11:30 officiated by Rev. Richard Chiola.
Memorial contributions may be made to “Springfield Catholic Charities – Holy Family Food Pantry” or the Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment at SIU School of Medicine.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.
