Barbara Gonzalez

Barbara Lee Stevens Gonzalez was born on October 15, 1933 in Kane, Illinois to Eva and Edward Stevens. She had four siblings: Christena, Russell, Keota, and George. She was raised in Jacksonville, Illinois by her mother and stepfather, Arthur Burns, who she thought of as her real dad. She attended Lafayette Elementary School and Jacksonville High School. During her Junior year of high school, as a Majorette, Barbara led her high school's band and she won first place in the state of Illinois as a baton twirler. Her senior year, she was a cheerleader at Jacksonville High School.

After graduating from high school, she attended DePaul School of Nursing, where she met and married Dr. Waldo Gonzalez. Together they had four children, Steven, Marco, Jeffrey, and Janelle. After her divorce, Barbara moved with her four children from Crockett, Texas to Florissant, Missouri, where she continued to raise her children. She was the President of the PTA and never missed her kids' sporting events and performances. Her life revolved around her children.

Barbara worked as a Registered Nurse in several different capacities. She worked at multiple hospitals, including the hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois where she was the supervisor of the hospital. She later worked at Always Care Nursing Service in Brentwood, Missouri, where she was the Supervisor of Nursing.

After her retirement in June of 1996, it freed up more time for Barbara to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and her companion of 46 years, John Martin. Barbara always attended her grandchildren's sporting events, choir concerts, or anything to do with her grandchildren. She and John loved to take long Sunday car rides (which usually ended up at the home of her grandchildren), traveling, watching movies, working on projects around her house, going out to eat, dancing, and laughing together. She loved telling jokes, even if she sometimes couldn't remember the punch line.

Later in life, Barbara lived at Twin Oaks Senior Living in O'Fallon, Missouri where she loved to play bingo, sing, dance, and play the piano.

Anyone who met Barbara was instantly drawn to her sweet and nurturing personality. She loved talking to people and everyone who knew her loved her.

Our family will truly miss her.

Barbara is survived by her long-time companion, John B. Martin; her children, Steven M. Gonzalez, Marco A. Gonzalez, Jeffrey D. Gonzalez, and Janelle M. (Dan) Walters; her grandchildren, ReEtta (Anthony) Roever, Tony (Brittany) Gonzalez, Devinne N. Walters, Skylar Duncan, Roman M. Gonzalez, Jenna L. Gonzalez, Drake D. Walters, Travis M. Gonzalez, Trevor S. Gonzalez, Grant Gonzalez, Cole J. Walters, and Sara E. Gonzalez; her great-grandchildren, Owen Roever, Talan Roever, Radley Roever, and Blakely Jo Gonzalez; and her sister-in-law, Ann Stevens. She will be greatly missed by many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Eva Marie (Arthur "Bud") Burns; her father, Edward Lee Stevens; her siblings, Christena M. (William) Smith, Russell L. (Louise) Stevens, Keota K. (William) Shouse, and George E. Stevens.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm with a funeral service at 12:00 pm, both on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, Missouri 63376. Interment will be private.

In accordance with CDC guidelines, face coverings and social distancing will be required at all funeral events.

Memorial contributions may be made in Barbara's name to the Alzheimer's Association 9370 Olive Blvd., Saint Louis, MO, 63132

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