Barbara Keller Youngblood
Barbara Keller Youngblood, 80, of Dongola, died at 1:25 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, with her family by her side at The Anchor at the Voyage in Marion.
She was born on Sept. 12, 1938, in Anna, the daughter of Earl “Fate” and Ruby Newman Dirden.
She married Terry Keller on Oct. 20, 1956. Terry preceded her in death on Oct. 21, 2004. She later married Bobby Youngblood in February of 2007.
She loved her church, sorority and the St. Louis Cardinals, but nothing was more important to her than her family and loving on them.
She was an active member of the First Lutheran Church of Dongola. She especially loved getting involved in Bible School and Easter services, as these were special times at the church for her.
She recently was recognized as a 50-year member of her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, Xi Mu Lambda Chapter.
She retired from Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative, where she had worked in resale and later bookkeeping.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Deena Swink of Dongola. She was grandmama to Cory Anthony Swink of Edgewater, N.J., Terry Caleb (Michelle) Swink of Carterville, Jordyn Bethany Rendleman and Jared Cory Rendleman, both of Murphysboro, Lance Cpl. Johnny Caleb Rendleman, who is stationed in Yuma, Ariz.; and great-grandmama to Charli Dawn Swink, Colton Eli Swink and Legend Cory Lyle Rendleman.
She is also survived by her sister, Gerri (Jim) Brown of Alto Pass; and nieces and nephews, including, Doug (Tracey) Brown and Laurie Turner.
Besides her husband, Terry, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son-in-law, Dennis Swink; and a brother, Earl J. Dirden.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Crain Funeral Home in Dongola, with Deena Swink officiating. Interment followed in the American Legion Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the First Lutheran Church of Dongola.
Crain Funeral Home in Dongola was in charge of arrangements.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family visit www.crainsonline.com.