Barbara J. Gosney Allen

Barbara J. Gosney Murphy Allen, 80 of Lewistown Mo., died November 4, 2022 in her home surrounded by family. She was born on March 19, 1942, in Kirksville, Mo., the first child of Elmer and Monta Lee Danforth Gosney of rural Williamstown, Mo.

She attended Williamstown School graduating as Valedictorian and Gem City College, Quincy, Ill.

She was united in marriage to Robert D. Murphy June 8, 1958, her high school sweetheart and he preceded her in death on August 30, 1983. To this union two children were born. Robert Dale and Lisa Joan. In 1997 she was united in marriage to Harvey Allen and he preceded her in death in 2007. Barbara was also preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, many close friends and a nephew Gary Thomson.

Surviving are her two children, Robert Dale Murphy of LaBelle, Mo., and Lisa (Rodney) Allen of Osage Beach, MO, four grandchildren whom she adored, Joshua Allen (Lilliah), Brandi Murphy (David Kraus), Justin (Katie) Allen & Isaac Murphy, eight great grandchildren of which her life revolved around, Kyler and Kayleigh Kraus, Adelyn, Aubrey and Alyza Allen, Elliana, Jesse and Millie Allen, also surviving are two sisters, Ruth (Ed) Streit of St. Louis, Mo., and Nancy (Danny) Brennan of Edina, Mo., numerous nieces and nephews on the Murphy side and a nephew Jamie Brennan along with numerous cousins and many close friends.

She enjoyed playing cards, bluegrass, dancing and visiting. She never saw a stranger, just a possible friend she had not met. She enjoyed traveling with husbands, family, and friends; shopping and casinos. Barbara was employed at various places as an accountant and bookkeeper. She enjoyed working elections and was always a farmer. She loved the outdoors, especially spring and fall, her cattle and pets. Family gatherings and reunions were most important to her; she rarely missed a son or daughter sport events or her grandchildren’s, traveling to Ozarks to watch soccer games and was now enjoying great grandchildren's sports. Teaching them to love making noodles together or hunting Easter eggs and catching fireflies in a jar. Mushroom hunting with them every year as she did her children and grandchildren. Barb loved writing songs and poems, singing gospel and helping all persons and family through rough times. With words and deeds and prayers together. Barbara was baptized in the Baptist faith at age 16 and rebaptized in Lewistown Baptist Church in 2017 which she joined.

Funeral services were held in the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, Mo., on November 7, 2022, with visitation preceding services. Officiating the services was Rodney Allen, Montgomery Baptist Church. Music conducted by Katie and Lilliah Allen and Jackie Scott, Musical selections: Old Rugged Cross and I’ll Fly Away. Casket bearers will be, Bill Gosney, Jamie Brennan, Jim Dent, Joshua and Justin Allen, Isaac Murphy, David Kraus. Honorary bearers: Jim Clark, Merle Miles and Bill Knocke.

Burial was in the Providence Cemetery at Williamstown, Mo.
Memorials are suggested to the family, in care of Lisa Allen-or Dale Murphy.
Memorials may be left at or mailed to Coder Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 151, LaBelle, MO, 63447.

Online condolences may be left at www.hudsonrimer fh.com