Barbara Jo Stephens, aged 72, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2024, in Lake Charles, La., where she resided. Barbara was loved dearly by her family and friends and is sorely missed.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Neoma Jane Cunningham Stephens and Alva Mark Stephens; her brother, Jerry Stephens; her nephew, Stevie Creel; her niece, Kitty Stephens Johnson, and her brothers-in-law, Paul Creel and Larry Rice.

Those left to share her memory are her sister, Mary Jane Stephens Creel, and brother, Tony Stephens, of Lake Charles, La.; sister, Donna Stephens Rice, of Little Rock, Ark., and sister-in-law, Jackie Snyder Stephens, of Kingsport, Tenn. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Scott Creel and family, Lori Rice Berry and family, Troy Rice and family, Suzy Creel Berniard, Jeff Rice, Jill Rice Phillips and family, Ruth Stephens, Sara Stephens, Alyse Power, and Jeremy Stephens.

Barbara was born on May 20, 1952, in Mountain Home, Ark., the youngest of five children. Two years later, she moved with her family to Lake Charles, La., where she resided for most of her life. She graduated from LaGrange High School and received her degree from Southwest Louisiana Technical Institute in secretarial science. She worked as a legal secretary until her retirement.

In 1968, Barbara became a USO girl at Fort Polk where she sang and danced in shows for the troops. Barbara loved to dance, and she had a beautiful singing voice. 

Barbara had a wonderfully adventurous spirit and a passion for travel. She delighted in discovering the charm of new cities with her family and friends. In 1980, Barbara moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, to be with her best friend, Valerie.  Barbara always recalled with great fondness her days exploring the island, enjoying the beaches, going to luaus, and meeting new people. 

Typical of Barbara’s selflessness and devotion to those she loved, she returned to Lake Charles from Honolulu to help care for her beloved mother when she became ill. Later, Barbara also moved to be with her sister, Donna, in Arkansas to help care for her children during a time of need.  Barbara loved children and “Aunt Baba”  was dearly loved by her nieces, nephews, and the children of her closest friends.

Among her most cherished memories was a trip through Europe with her brother, Jerry, and sister, Jane. Barbara was a great storyteller and her clever sense of humor usually made her the life of the party. She could bring on the belly-laughs with her witty anecdotes. 

Barbara’s interests included music, piano, travel, cooking, and needlework.  What she loved above all else was her family, life-long friends, and her furry friends, Billy, Jack, Zee, Maggie, and Arthur. Her devoted friends holding a special place in Barbara’s heart were Valerie Abshire Bowmaster, Eileen Louviere Comeaux, Lynette Louviere Winn, Verue Addison Hughes, and Pat Flores Iles, each of whom comforted her greatly during her illness.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Harbor Hospice and Grand Cove Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the care provided Barbara in her long illness.  

Gifts on Barbara’s behalf can be made to the University of Arkansas for Medical Services Stroke Program, http://www.giv ing.uams.edu/Telestroke, where her niece, Lori Berry, is Director of Operations, or to the American Stroke Association, https://www.stroke.org.

A gathering of family and friends in celebration of Barbara’s life will be held Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, La., with visitation beginning at 5 p.m. and the celebration of life at 6 p.m.