Barbara Blake Schneider
The family of Barbara Blake Schneider, due to the public safeguards pertaining to the current pandemic, will attend a private Funeral Rite of Committal at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston, Louisiana under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Please join us in prayer from your homes on Monday, May 4, 2020.The family will hold a public Mass of Remembrance at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at a later date.
Barbara Ann Blake Schneider, age 88, peacefully passed away April 27, 2020 in her home in Ruston, Louisiana. She was surrounded by her husband George and her children.
Born April 3, 1932, in Kansas City, Kansas, Barbara was welcomed by parents John Joseph Blake, Nellie Walthall Blake and her older brother John Joseph “Joe” Blake (all deceased).
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, George J. Schneider, Sr. and five children: George (Kay), Houston, TX, Bill (Kathy) Dallas, TX, Tom (Lori) Maumelle, AR, Levi (Debbie) Pottsboro, TX and Laura Schneider, Ruston, LA.
She was known as Gigi to her seven granddaughters; Katherine Anderson, Rebecca Girbach, Lauren Schneider, Courtney Schneider, Ashley Schmitt, Sara Glazer and Allison Schneider.
Her sweet spirit will also be remembered by seven great grandchildren; Joshua and John Anderson; Sarah, Charlotte and Emily Girbach; Dietrich and Wyatt Schmitt. Barbara attended Catholic schools and graduated from Bishop Ward High School.
She attended Kansas City Community College and it was there that she met George Schneider. They married in 1952 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.
From that point, she embraced the life of an Air Force military wife, with postings in Bossier City, LA, Montgomery, AL, Oscoda, MI, back to Kansas City to be near family while George was on a lengthy overseas assignment in Korea, and lastly, Ruston, LA.
After George’s military retirement, Barbara transitioned to civilian life in Ruston.
Throughout the years it was her sense of humor and her cheerful acceptance of people that endeared her to family and friends.
In Ruston she met women that would become her closest friends at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and the service sorority Beta Sigma Phi.
She enjoyed volunteering at Women’s Guild, Louisiana Peach Festival and working at the Louisiana Tech bookstore. A highlight each summer was “the girls” annual beach week to Sanibel Island, FL.
She and George also made trips overseas with close friends to Europe, traveled with a local motor home club and enjoyed attending Louisiana Tech sporting events together. Many happy hours were spent at Ruston High School sporting events (football, basketball, baseball and band).
Barbara will be greatly missed by her family, friends, neighbors and caretakers.
Forever we will cherish the memory of her laughter, hospitality and great sense of humor.
She lived by example her love of God, family, church and community.
Please continue praying for those that are ill in our country and community.
Our hearts are full of gratitude for the sitters, nurses and therapists who spent time with her in the past two months. Memorials may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 810 Carey Avenue, Ruston, LA 71270; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN or the Christian Community Action (CCA) of Ruston, 108 Bonner St., Ruston, LA 71270.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.
