Connie Jean Barbee

Connie Jean (Stith) Barbee passed away on August 31, ,2023. She was born in Atterberry, Illinois, on May 19, 1934. She married Edward Barbee in 1949. She was preceded in death by her husband and her mother, Esther Doyen, and several much-loved kitty family members. Connie is survived by her daughter Susan (Rick) Carlson; grandson, Michael (Amy) Burke and their children, Jack, Allie and Henry; and by her daughter Shelly (Dave) Flickinger and their daughter, Ember. She is also survived by her special cousins, Donna Hitchcock and Bonnie Messett, with whom she enjoyed the time they spent together writing the history of the town they grew up in, Atterberry. Connie taught the two and three year old Sunday School class at the Petersburg United Methodist Church for many years and was active with Methodist Women. She and Ed also served as adult counselors for the Methodist Youth Fellowship. She enjoyed the camaraderie in the kitchen helping prepare meals for the church’s community dinners. As a young mother, Connie learned to sew and sewing became an integral part of her life. She enjoyed making matching Easter dresses and other clothing for her daughters, Halloween costumes and prom dresses. She was creative and always had one or more projects in the works. After working at the Montgomery Ward catalog store in Petersburg, she then worked several years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Petersburg helping farmers. She left there to start a new adventure with Ed. Her love of sewing had grown to a love of piecing fabric into quilts and many other items. From that, Aunt Bea’s Calicos and Crafts was born on the northside of the square in Petersburg. After closing down the retail business due to Ed’s health, they ran the business from their home, providing machine quilting services for many quilters in the area. Members of the Petersburg Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Connie and Ed served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron and she then served as secretary for many years. Connie and Ed had many adventures camping and traveling with friends and family. More than once they headed off without a destination in mind, tossing a coin when they reached the end of the driveway to see which way they’d turn. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 9 am to 11am at the Petersburg United Methodist Church, 221 W. Jackson St, Petersburg, Illinois 62675. A memorial service will immediately follow at 11 am with Pastor Rick Pierce officiating. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Petersburg following the service. In lieu of flowers, Connie requested donations be made to the Menard County Animal Control, 19376 Sunny Acres Rd, Petersburg, Illinois 62675. Please visit Connie’s online obituary at hurleyfh.com, where you may share memories and leave condolences with her family.

Connie Jean Barbee

May 19, 1934 - August 31, 2023

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