Ms. Barbara Lynn Percy

Life’s Reflections Each day comes yielding its own gifts. On April 11, 1949, in Lewisville, Arkansas, God untied the ribbons of the gift of a spirited and inquisitive baby girl given to the care of Emma Jean Henry under the watchful eye of her granny, Ms. Rennie. This child was named Barbara. While she may have been small in stature, she embraced life with a “bigness” that implied she was the boss. Mama Rennie and Papa Charlie, the doting grandparents she spent most of her time with, only helped to reinforce the idea that she was the boss as they spoiled her rotten. She completed her journey on July 16, 2025, at the Heather Manor Health and Rehab Center in Hope, Arkansas. Barbara committed her life to Christ at an early age and was baptized at Union Hill Baptist Church where she remained active until moving to St. Louis in 1972. Soon after moving to St. Louis, she united with the Antioch Baptist church where she remained active for over 50 years, serving as chairperson of the 4th Sunday Usher Group and was a member of the Clara Etta Smith Mission Circle. She was also actively involved in the Mustard Seed ministry, a support group for cancer survivors. On her return to Lewisville in 2020, she briefly attended Unity Baptist Church. After covid restrictions forced churches to abandon public worship in 2020, she began to listen in on the telephone services of Cedar Grove Baptist Church and later joined in 2023. Her declining health prevented her active participation, but she faithfully listened in on Wednesdays and Sundays and supported her church. After graduating from Foster High School in 1967, Barbara attended Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree in Home Economics. She later earned the Master of Arts Degree in Communication Arts from Webster University. In 1982, she completed the Master of Arts +30 at Webster University in Family and Consumer Sciences. She received her lifetime state of Missouri public school teacher’s certification in 1975 in vocational home economics. Barbara was married to Willie Percy in 1977 and that union ended in divorce in 1983. While she was not blessed with children, she enjoyed playing “favorite auntie”. She would collect little gifts all year to send her annual Christmas boxes to nieces and nephews. Barbara began her 35-year teaching career at Sumner High School in 1972 and remained on staff there until her retirement in 2007. Barbara served on the Executive Board for Local 420 Teachers and School Related Personnel Union for 25 years and was acting president for several years. After retirement, Barbara kept busy with Corinthian Chapter 9 Order of Eastern Star, where she served at various times as worthy matron, chapter treasurer, and outreach secretary. She was honored at the 125th Annual Harmony Grand Chapter in 2015 for 40 years of service. Barbara also was very active as Courtesy Chairperson of Gamma Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority having become a member in 1987. She proudly repped that pink and green in her attire, her luggage, her jewelry and her home décor. After surviving breast cancer in 1992, she got involved with the Susan G. Komen foundation as a spokesperson advocating for testing and public awareness. When her cancer returned in 2022, her training kept her vigilant in her treatment plan and care. Barbara worked with the Parent Infant Interaction Program, an after-school program to help teenage parents for many years and was honored by the St. Louis Teacher’s Union for that work. While she was quite busy trying to give back to the community and support her church, chapter and sorority, she still found time to be a part of the Henry Thurston Family Reunion Committee. The reunion started in 1989 and has been held bi-annually since then. Barbara has never missed a reunion. She hosted the reunion in St. Louis in two different years. With all this going on, Barbara still found time to engage in entrepreneurship by co-owning and running a catering business. In addition, she was a high dollar sales agent with both Mary Kay and Avon. In 2018, Barbara was officially diagnosed with Parkinson Disease. As the disease progressed, it debilitated her body to the point that she needed specialized and continuous care. She spent the last 6 months at Heather Manor with caring and competent staff. Barbara is preceded in death by her father, Givens Jackson Sr, her maternal grandparents, Alice (Ms. Rennie) and Charlie Braggs and Willie Henry, her brothers: Willie Henry, John Jackson and Anthony Jackson; her nephew, Ryan Jackson, and her best friends for life Gwen Harper and Linda Pace. Barbara leaves to cherish her memories with her mother, Emma J. Jackson of Hope, Arkansas; her sister, Evelyn Trammell of Lewisville, Arkansas; her brother, Givens (Martha) Jackson, Jr. of Leland, South Carolina; her nieces, Kiffany, Keidre, Shon, Christina, Jennifer, Cheryl and Kandace; her nephews, Garry, Kelvin, Rico, Justin, Pierce, and James, her God-daughters, Cecelia Elliott of St. Louis, Missouri and Patrice Lee of Little Rock. She was cherished by many extended family members, including great-nieces, great-nephews, tons of cousins and many friends who adored her. Celebration of Life services will be held Sunday, July 27th, 2025, at St. Paul Baptist Church in Lewisville, Arkansas at 2:00 p.m., with burial to follow at Old Town Cemetery in Lewisville, under the direction of R.L. Reed Funeral Home LLC. Minister McArthur Turner, Eulogist. A visitation will be Friday {Jul. 25th} from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., at R.L. Reed Funeral Home. “For precaution due to the COVID-19, Masks are Encouraged but Not Required While Attending the Services and During Visitation Hours. However, wearing masks ensures safety for you and others. Thank you.”

Ms. Barbara Lynn Percy

April 11, 1949 - July 16, 2025

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Ms. Barbara Lynn Percy

April 11, 1949 - July 16, 2025

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information