Barbara Lohr

Barbara Ann Lohr, 83 years young, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Florida, having the time of her life with her grandchildren, while on a Walt Disney World vacation.

She was born July 12, 1937, in Sikeston, Missouri, daughter of Gilbert and Marie Clinton. On June 20, 1959, she married the love of her life, Robert Edward Lohr, and their lives were blessed with three loving children. Barb was a devoted wife and mother. After nearly 32 years of marriage, Bob passed away Jan. 26, 1991. With a strong will and even stronger faith, she knew God had a plan, so she decided to share her gifts and talents with the rest of her community. She was a community servant, volunteer and sports fan who will be remembered for her positive attitude, smile, drive and spirit in everything she did.

Barb graduated from Sikeston High School before attending Southeast Missouri State University, where she earned bachelor and master degrees in education. She taught high school business classes and secretarial skills in the Cape Girardeau School District, as well as teaching adult computer classes at area businesses. She spent countless hours, daily mentoring and mothering her students, to help them learn the skills needed to be successful in a career.

After "retiring," she kept herself busy by devoting her time to her beloved City of Jackson. In 2007, she was elected mayor and served in that office until 2015. Barbara loved the Jackson community and did everything she could to make it a better place for those who lived, shopped or just came for a visit to the Iron Mountain Railway. Most mornings, before starting her day volunteering in the community, one could find her walking with friends at Jackson Civic Center. She walked 2 miles every morning on the track to get her steps in and close the rings on the Apple Watch her family gave her for Christmas.

Barbara was a faith-filled member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson. It was one of the many places she could be found volunteering, helping in the church office so one of her former students could get a lunch break. She was an active member of the LA Chapter of P.E.O. and the Jackson Noon Optimists. Other places she volunteered around town include St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway and Jackson Food Pantry, and she served as a docent at Cape Girardeau County History Center in Jackson. Barbara was instrumental in the Revitalization of Uptown Jackson and was a former board member of the organization, as well as chairwoman of the Economic Vitality Committee. One of her favorite things to do was walk around and pop into the local businesses to say hello and help plan the next event to bring the community together. Her smile and energy will be missed at the Christmas Parade, Springfest, Jackson in Bloom and Oktoberfest, just to name a few of the many events in which she worked so hard to unify the community.

While Barbara spent most of her "free time" volunteering, the best days in her life were ones spent with her family. Nothing made her happier than having her family all together; her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her favorite thing to do was watch her grandchildren in their many activities. She loved everything in which they participated, from a viola Christmas concert, to cheerleading, basketball, track and field, football and any other activity of which her grandchildren wanted her to be a part. She spent countless hours in bleachers, through any weather condition, to cheer them on. Everyone knew when Barbara was at a ball game. She was the loudest cheerleader. She loved her grands as well as every athlete on the team, and would not leave a game until she had congratulated or consoled everyone with one of her hugs. For years one could see Barbara walking through Jackson wearing her signature red and black Jackson attire. After a little convincing, she finally decided to add a little blue and white to her wardrobe for her grandchildren.

Barbara is survived by three children and seven grandchildren, Jim and daughter-in-law, Julie Lohr, and their sons, Blake and Reid; Lane and daughter-in-law, Jill Lohr, and daughters, Lindsey and Erin; and Kathy and son-in-law, Greg Jansen, and their children, Bobby, Megan and Hayden; and a nephew Barbara considered one of her own, John Lohr, his wife, Julie, and son, Lucas Helwege. Barbara's loving siblings include a brother, Roy Clinton, and a sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie Eaglin and Dr. Ronald Eaglin. She leaves behind many other loving nieces and nephews, cousins, family and friends who will miss her greatly.

Friends are invited to attend parish prayers at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Visitation will begin after the prayer service and conclude at 8 p.m.

The Rev. Randolph Tochtrop will celebrate Barbara's Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery, where Barbara will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Bob.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund, Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry or Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com, navigating to Barbara's personal obituary page, and clicking on the tribute wall tab just above the article.