Barbara Sue Bannister, age 83, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in Brownwood, TX.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 PM Friday at Heartland Funeral Home in Early.
Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, March 14th at Heartland Funeral Home Chapel in Early, with interment to follow at Eastlawn Memorial Park.
Barbara was born Sunday, May 10, 1936 in Vernon, Texas to Bud and Minnie Gibson. Barbara graduated from Brownwood High School. She married Arthur Eugene Bannister on November 6, 1954 in Abilene and began a life together that blessed them with 2 boys, Mike and Mark. In her early years she worked for the Southwestern States telephone company in Brownwood. Barbara was a member of the Presidents Club for Avon and was the top selling representative in the district for 44 years with a regular cliental of over 250 customers. She was considered an entrepreneur, from Avon to Amway, Tupperware and Home Interior. She was quite the saleswoman. She was also an avid collector of Beanie Babies and would buy all her grandchildren every Beanie Baby she could find, so some would say the family has quite the collection. As her boys were growing up she was very involved with all aspects of their lives. She was Mike’s Cub Scout den mom and a member of the Lions Mothers Club. Because his mom was quite the saleswoman, Mark was the top seller for the FFA fruit sales for 2 years in a row at Brownwood High School. Barbara enjoyed gardening, camping and boating, as well as her animals, especially Cheaper (the duck) that she raised from a baby. She loved to spoil her grandchildren by teaching them to drink coffee and cherishing every moment she spent with them.
Barbara is survived by her husband Gene; 2 boys, Mike Bannister and wife Patti, Mark Bannister and wife Tammy, all of Brownwood; grandchildren, Micah LeaAnne Lampson and husband Christopher of Middletown, PA, Courtney Feist and husband Brandon of Granbury, TX, Chance Bannister and Kynadee Bannister both of Stephenville, TX; great-grandchildren, Addison Lampson, Brylen Feist and Kynzlee Feist.
She is preceded in death by her mother Ola Chamberlain and sister Jeanette Caronna.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net