Barbara Holman

Barbara Ellen Holman, age 77, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Ratliff Care Center.

She was born Sept. 29, 1943, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Robert A. and Martha Johnson Thulin.

She and Thomas Robbin Holman were married Dec. 2, 1967, in Thomaston, Connecticut.

She was a loving mother to Dr. Tom (Kim) Holman of Cape Girardeau; Jason Holman of Wilmore, Kentucky; and Brian (Hanna) Holman of Winter Springs, Florida; grandmother to Riley Pierce of Oveido, Florida; 2nd Lt. Emily Holman of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Matthew Holman of Cape Girardeau; Erica (Joey) Pesina of Ormond Beach, Florida; great-grandmother to Melony, Sophia and Ares Pesina of Ormond Beach.

She is also survived by her sister, Elsa (Stanley) Hurlbert of Thomaston; brother, Martin (Vicki) Thulin of Wallingford, Connecticut; and Aunt Barbara to many nieces and nephews and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Barbara was known for her beautiful soprano voice, and over the years she sang in many church choirs, weddings and events. Music was one of her many talents she enjoyed sharing with others. She completed her bachelor's degree in elementary education at Rollins College in Winter Park and worked with children most of her adult life. She helped many children with special needs learn to read and had a knack for being able to communicate well with her young students.

She loved the water and was a lifeguard in her younger years and also taught water safety courses when her husband was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. If she could choose to be anywhere, she would choose to be swimming in the ocean, natural springs or Bantam Lake in Connecticut.

Bird watching, cooking big meals for her family, and watching old movies and musicals were activities she enjoyed. Never one to mince words, she was lovingly known as "blunt Barbara" by her close family, followed by a hearty chuckle.

The real love of her life was Jesus Christ. Her family credits her prayers as the reason they all know and love Jesus. She "prayed them into the Kingdom". Her devotion and deeply held faith buoyed her through many of life's challenges, and she was always one who people could count on for prayer. She will be dearly missed.

A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m. March 27 at La Croix Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ratliff Care Center -- memo: "Barbara Holman memorial" -- to fund extra activities for the residents. With the exemplary, loving care she received at Ratliff, they became "family."

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.