Barbara Margaret King

Barbara Margaret King, 82, of Decatur, Alabama, passed away Friday, February 3, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Rudolf and Margarete Gossow Kendelbacher. She was also preceded in death by her former husband, Lonnie King. Survivors are her daughter Linda and son-in-law Tim Stansel and special friend, Brenda Deffenbaugh. Barbara also leaves behind her caregiver, Tina Weems, who took care of her passionately during her illness. Born and raised in East Berlin, Germany, Barbara remained there until 1959 at which time she and her father had the foresight and courage to leave the city and all that they loved behind before the Berlin Wall was erected. Relocating to southern Germany, Barbara worked for the Ford Motor Company, and in 1962 she began working at the BX at Hahn AFB where she would meet her future husband Lonnie. She remained in Germany until 1964 and then came to the United States. Upon arrival, she would learn about her new relatives, the King family, becoming a part of a large unit that included her father and mother-in-law, six brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law and numerous extended family members. In 1969 Barbara reached one of the largest milestones of her life by becoming a United States citizen, officially changing her name to a more American one. She enjoyed the travel that came with being a military wife establishing homes for her family in Florida, England, South Dakota and finally planting roots in Georgia in 1976. Barbara was active, working numerous jobs at one time, being a volunteer for the 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Committee, volunteering as a candy striper at a local hospital as well as the Shepherd Center, an active member of the Senior Citizens group, the Nimble Needle Club and hosting countless card games with her beloved friends. In 2021 she relocated to Alabama due to illness and resided near the Tennessee River. Often referring to her school days, Barbara said, “I studied about the Tennessee River, but I never thought I would live by it.” She thoroughly enjoyed walking the riverfront with her beloved dog Pippa. There will be a memorial service for Ms. King on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Pettusville Cemetery. Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home is assisting with the services.

Barbara Margaret King

July 14, 1940 - February 3, 2023