Barbara Helen Meece

RICHMOND, Ind. – Barbara Helen Meece, age 81, of Richmond, died Sunday, March 23, 2008, at Golden Living Center after a lengthy illness. She was born May 29, 1926, in Disputanta, Ky., to Bert A. and Luvena Ballinger Harding. Helen met her husband, Lawrence Glen Meece from Somerset, Ky., in 1944 while both were working at the Berea College, Berea, Ky. Creamery where Glen was enrolled as an agriculture student. They were married Feb. 19, 1946. Helen and her sister Elnora moved to Richmond in 1943 while Glen served in W.W. II. Upon his return, their daughter, Janet Louise was born in January 1947. Helen worked in several metal and plastic plants including the Metal Specialty Co., Perfect Circle and Phillips Recording Co., Disney Records division. She also farmed with her husband near Middleboro for 35 years raising cattle, hogs and crops for stock. Helen was an avid fisherwoman, gardener and cook. She raised and arranged flowers and volunteered at the Salvation Army and Circle K Kitchen. She was a member of Fairview Baptist Church, later becoming a member of Calvary Baptist Church where she often attended with her childhood friend and companion Zola Berry. Helen was a “nurturer” of the body and soul. She was a wonderful and generous cook and friend, knowing no strangers. After Glen’s death she enjoyed traveling with her sisters and brother to Branson, Mo., Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and other places of beautiful scenery and country music performances. She took a long trip out west with her brother and his wife and several sisters. She took several small ship cruises with her daughter Janet and son-in-law, Keith, including the inner passage of Alaska, Costa Rica, Panama and the Galapagos Islands, Equador. Her childlike sense of awe and wonder never diminished. Survivors include her daughter, Janet Louise Mast (Keith) of Chagrin Falls Oh.; grandsons, David Glen Mast (Elizabeth) of Chagrin Falls Oh and Peter Dean Mast (Kathryn) of Lafayette Ind.; great-grandchildren, Erin Leigh Mast and Colin Charles Mast; sisters, Elnora Lakes (Homer) of Fountain City, Argalee Phenis (James) of Richmond, Roberta Johnson (James) of Richmond, Wanda L. Herron of Richmond and Beuana Adams of Miamisburg Oh.; brother; Lloyd Adams (Eddie) of Miamisburg Oh.; brother-in-law, Samuel L. Bullock of Richmond; numerous nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and scores of loving friends. She will be missed but always in our hearts. She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Jop Adams; her husband of 56 years Lawrence Glen; sisters, Dorothy Donanberg and Ethel Bullock; and brother, Landis Harding. Funeral service for Barbara Helen Meece will be at 10 a.m., Saturday March 29, 2008, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road W., Richmond, with Reverend Lester Maples officiating. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 28 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Wayne County Unit, P. O. Box 689, Columbus, IN 47202 or Circle U Kitchen, 19 North 13th Street, Richmond, Ind., 47374 or Covenant Hospice, 2013 Chester Blvd., Richmond, Ind., 47374.

Barbara Helen Meece

May 29, 1926 - March 23, 2008