Barbara Ann Stradford

Barbara “Barb” Ann Stradford, age 64, of Bland, passed away on July 30, 2024 at her residence. 

 She was born on September 11, 1959, in Rolla, a daughter to the late Billy Russell “Russ” and Maxine (Price) Elrod. 

 Barb was a lifelong area resident and was a 1978 graduate of Belle High School. She received her associate’s degree in business from Linn Tech. 

 On February 9, 1980, she was united in marriage to Donald Stradford at the Bland Christian Church. Donald survives of their home. 

 Barb worked at several factories through the years including 10 years at the Brown Shoe Factory in Owensville. She owned and operated the Spotted Rooster Antique Store in Bland for 5 years. Her favorite job, however, was being a stay-at-home mom as she loved taking care of her family.

Barb enjoyed reading, watching the Olympics and tennis, and baking. She was very crafty and did chainsaw and knife carving, made quilts for everyone in her family, and crocheting as well as many other projects. Barb loved being at the Gasconade River fishing and spent every weekend there when the kids were younger. She loved going antiquing and collecting chickens, rolling pins, crocks, and jars among other things. Her favorite times were spent spoiling her granddaughter, Kenzi and spending time with her family. 

In addition to her husband of 44 years, Don, she is survived by: one son, Benjamin Stradford of Bland; one daughter, Holly Kleinheider and her husband Daniel of Belle; two granddaughters, Kenzi Cetroute and Joelie Shafer; one brother, Jim Elrod of Paydown; and two siters, Beverly Murphy of Belle and Robin Teel and her husband Tom of Fulton as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. 

Barb was preceded in death by her mother and father, one brother John Cox, one stepbrother Bob Baxtor and a brother-in-law Sonny Murphy. 

 A Celebration of Life will be held for Barb on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the Bland Christian Church beginning at 11:00 a.m.