Barbara was born on November 17, 1927 in Devine, Texas to Roy Atwood and Euna Miller and passed away on February 21, 2011 with her family by her side. She went to be with the Lord and a reunion with her beloved husband, Wayne, of almost 60 years. 

Soon after her birth, she moved with her Mother to San Antonio, Texas. She assisted her Mother as she dealt with health problems. At church in San Antonio, Barbara met Wayne, when she was 13 and he was 15. That first meeting would be the beginning of an enduring love. At the age of 14, her mother died and she moved to Kentucky to live with relatives. She graduated from Reidland High School in Paducah, Kentucky. After high school, she worked in the office of a coal company until she was old enough to enroll in nursing school at Memphis State University. During nursing school, she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corp and was ready to serve her country. From the time she left San Antonio, as well as the time she was in nursing school, she had continued to correspond with Wayne, even when he was deployed to China-Burma-India. When Wayne was discharged from the Army, he went to Memphis and asked her to marry him. They were married on March 26, 1946. To Wayne, Barbara was his "Barbie Doll" and to others, she was "The Rose." They began their life together in San Antonio, then moved to Houston, where they raised their three beautiful daughters. In 1981, "retirement" and a calling to reach more people for Christ moved them to Centerville, Texas. 

Barbara's most enjoyable part of life was being a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother "MeMa", and Great-Grandmother. She was so proud of her family, and her home was filled with so many happy memories for all of them. She shared her Christian ways with her family, and encouraged them to know Jesus. She knew without a doubt that Jesus is Lord. 

Barbara felt her calling to teach and care for others, and served in many professional capacities which fulfilled that mission. At Broadway Baptist Pre-School, Barbara was a teacher and then school director. She loved working with the youth at the Meadowbrook Baptist Church, and served as a devoted Pastor's wife at Redland Baptist Church and North Creek Baptist Church. Barbara also served alongside her husband in a prison ministry program in Huntsville, Texas. Many of the inmates loved Barbara and Wayne very much, and often referred to her as a "substitute mom." For several years, Barbara organized a cookie project with the local churches so that the inmates could have homemade cookies at Christmas. 

Barbara was a faithful, loving wife who stayed by her husband's side, caring for him as he became ill, and until he went to be with the Lord in 2006. She was an outgoing, friendly, kind soul who never met a stranger. She could often be heard singing or humming hymns, and shared her love of music with many. Even in her declining health, she was such an outgoing, warm and smiling person that she was included on the Welcoming Committee at Colonial Oaks Assisted Living. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gilbert Wayne McNeill; Mother, Euna Miller Evans; Step-Father, Ernest Evans and wife, Ruby; Grandfather, Martin Van Buren Miller and many other relatives of the Miller family; Fathers-in-Law and Mothers-in-Law, James Leonard and Reba McNeill and Charles and Frieda Staudt; Brother-in-Law and Sisters-in Laws: John and Jean McNeill and Elmer Laubach. 

Barbara was survived by three Daughters, Barbara Lewis and husband, Rodger; Beverly Brown and husband, Jerry; and Brenda Wilson and husband, Joe; Grandchildren -Jerry Brown and wife, Sharon; Kristi Jones and husband, Jay; Kim Krueger and husband, Ryan; Robin Lewis; Candice Kersey and husband, Ralph; Tammy Stevens and husband, James; Dallas Gilden and wife, Katrina; Justin Wilson; Brandy Gill and husband, Nathan; Jeff Grosek; Great-grandchildren – Camryn, Zachary, Nicole, Jackson, Lance, Jake, Reed, Abby, Laura, Casey, Paige, Joshua, Brian, Jason, Lucas, Michael, and two more on the way; Brothers-in-law and Sister-in-Laws: Warren and Bernice McNeill, Doris Laubach, Lura Ann and Bill Wurzbach, Grover McNeill and Rachel Miller, Charles and Dorice Staudt, many nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. 

Our loving Mother, Grandmother "MeMa", Great -Grandmother, and Friend was an incredible lady and she will be truly missed. We know she is now reunited with the love of her life, and that we will see them again someday. 

Just as Barbara cared for so many people, she received that unconditional love in return. Many caregivers expressed appreciation for Barbara because she was always smiling and expressing, "Thank you", and telling them her true feeling that they will be rewarded by God with a special crown when they get to Heaven. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the professional, loving caregivers at The Terrace, Argent Court, and Colonial Oaks. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the North Creek Baptist Church Food Pantry, The Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice. 

Services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at North Creek Baptist Church, 8153 FM 3178, Centerville, TX 75833. Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 25, 2011, at Walters Funeral Home, 610 S. Commerce, Centerville, Texas. 

Honorary Minister, Chaplain Jim Brazzil. Pallbearers are Chuck McNeill, Jerry Brown, Jr., Dallas Gilden, Ryan Krueger, James Stevens and Jay Jones. 

Walters Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.