Sept. 6, 1940 – Dec. 28, 2015
Barbara Ann Gregory, 75, of Sweet Home passed away Monday.
We are sad to announce the passing of our lovely mother, wife and friend, Barbara Ann Gregory. Our hearts are heavy, our way is lost, but not forever, for we know that she is free. Dancing and singing with her Heavenly Father. There will be no more sadness, no more sickness, only joy, peace and laughter.
Her journey began on Sept. 6, 1940 in Aberdeen Wash. Born to Alson and Sarah (Bobbie) (Morris) Wood. Her father was in the logging business and she along with her older brother, Bud lived in several towns, including Eugene, Marcola, Lebanon and Albany, before settling in Sweet Home.
When she was 14 years old, her little brother Rob was born, and instantly became more like her own son than a brother.
When she met Ken, it was love at first sight. They were married on Nov. 28, 1957 at her Old Family’s Ranch in Aberdeen, Wash.
Young teens, they lived in several places around Sweet Home, had their firstborn, Mark, then 18 months later, Lorie was born.
Ken’s brother-in-law, Wayne Bryant, asked them to move to Taft and learn the trade of Timber Falling. While in Taft, their third child, Lisa was born.
Also, a fourth child was born, Donald Martin. Sadly, he died in 1965 at 4 months old. It was while they lived in Taft that Ken and Barb both came to know the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
In 1967, Ken and Barb moved back to Holley and bought Ken’s family’s ranch house and property. Barb was a devoted wife and stay at home Mom. She enjoyed Elvis, shopping, sewing, cooking, teaching at Sunday school, Brownie Leadership and traveling; boy did she like to go!
She got her first job at Whites Electronics in the ’70s, furthered her education, worked at Citizens Valley Bank and was a receptionist for Doc. McCarthy.
She later joined the Sweet Home Police Reserves where she became a certified marksman, and loved to shoot her .357 Magnum. Finally, she decided to go to real estate school and got her broker’s license.
She la-ter started her own business out of their home in Holley, which is where Holley Real Estate began. Her husband Ken retired from timber falling and joined Barb in selling real estate.
What a team they made!
Barbara’s greatest joy always came from family. Pure and simple. She loved seeing her grandsons, Keegan and Abram. She had a special relationship with her brothers Bud and Rob and kept them very close. Rob’s wife Carol and their children Gabe, Jared and Emily, were always on her mind and in her heart. Gabe and Misty’s children, Owen, Liberty and Everly, brought infinite love and joy to Mama’s heart.
Three days after Christmas, Barbara gave up her tired body and went Home to her Beloved Lord and Savior. As she departed, her family sang a number of hymns and praises over her. The first song of which was the song we always sang together, the song she would want everyone to know, “Everybody Ought to Know, Who Jesus Is!”
She is survived by her husband Ken; brothers Bud Wood and Rob Wood; son Mark Gregory; daughters Laurel Turner and Lisa Legg; two grandsons, Keegan Legg and Abram Legg; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday Jan. 8, at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Lebanon. A Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Sweet Home Christian Church, 1825 Long St.
Memorial contributions can be made in her name to: Sweet Home Christian Church: 1825 Long St. Sweet Home, OR, 97386, phone (541) 367-2094 or Oregon Christian Convention at [email protected] or (503) 743-2101.
For those who would like to send flowers to the celebration of life, contact Sweet Home Florist at (541) 367-2424.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.