Barbara McAnally

Barbara McAnally, 91, went to be with the Lord on September 2024, in Springfield, Oregon after a battle with lung cancer. She was born February 1933 to John Gordon and Carleen Crouse Parker in Bozeman, Montana just 15 miles from where the Crouse family built their homestead in Springhill, Montana. Raised in Bozeman, she loved to help her grandpa, who she called Bumpa, on the family ranch. She moved the cattle to the mountains, drove the stacker in the fields, and helped take care of the horses. Dearly, she reflected on her summers at the ranch where she shared special memories with her aunt Shirlee, cousins, Sharon and Maridel, and sister, Marlene.

Attending Gallatin County High School, she was on the pep squad, the flag twirling team, and graduated in 1951. While attending Montana State College she met Charles “Chuck” Beers and married him in 1954. Together they had three children, Leanne, Randy, and Robert. Being an Air Force officer’s wife, they traveled and moved to many different locations, including Japan. She vowed to always find something positive about each place that the Air Force took her family.

While stationed in El Paso, Texas, she divorced and then later married another Air Force officer, Howard R. Eyer. In 1965 they drove to Alaska for their next transfer. She enjoyed their travels and volunteered for fundraisers, managed an on- base thrift store, and was a part of the on-base Red Cross. During these years she was on a bowling team, ski patrol, sewed her own formal ball gowns, served as a Cub Scout den mother, and played the organ in a production of The Threepenny Opera. 1968 brought them to their last assignment in Sacramento, California where they remained after retirement from the Air Force in 1972. They spent their time RVing, square dancing, crafting, golfing, and spending time with their grandchildren. After 29 years of marriage to Howard, he passed away in 1994.

Four years later, in 1998, a kind man moved in next door. He and mom enjoyed their visits across the landscaping, and soon realized their feelings for each other had grown deep. In 1999 Barbara married Wayne P. McAnally, who was an electrician for 30 years with Southern Pacific Railroad. Together they enjoyed attending and serving in their church, periodically playing a round of golf, exploring the eastern states and traveling abroad, including China. They were married 18 years when Wayne passed away in 2017.

Barbara moved to Eugene in 2021 to be closer to most of her immediate family. In her new community she found great friends and enjoyed playing cards, hand knitting, and hanging out with her family.

The most important year of her life was 1968, when she made the greatest decision in her life. She learned that the Bible tells us we can have a personal relationship with God through Jesus, who died on the cross so that we can be forgiven and become followers of Him. On December 8, 1968, she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. This decision influenced her whole family and for 52 years she was a faithful member of Oak Avenue Church in Orangevale, California. As you can imagine her acts of service with this church family were numerous. She was the coordinator of a group of folks called SCAMPS who helped organize events and socials at the church. She was elected as a delegate to represent her church at the annual conference for several years. In a handwritten note she expressed how she enjoyed all she saw, heard and learned at these conferences. She was the church treasurer, a finance committee member, a Sunday School teacher, the wedding coordinator and the church organist for over 35 years. Through this church family she made many lifelong friends.

Her children remember her as supportive, generous, faithful, and devoted. She was loving, an encourager of  independence, and a teacher of the arts. She was also a committed prayer warrior, always holding her family and church members up in prayer.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents John and Carleen Parker, her sister Marlene Walborn, her brother and sister-in-law Budge (Eula) Parker and her husbands Howard R. Eyer, Wayne P. McAnally and Charles L.M. Beers. She is survived by her children; Leanne (Jon) Kramp of Eugene, OR, Randy Beers of Long Beach, CA, Robert (Debbie) Beers of Beaverton, OR, her step-children; Mary (Dave) Worland of Midland, TX, Debi Garvin of Dexter, OR, Judy Brown of Silver City, NM, and Paul (Winli) McAnally of Pacific Grove, CA. Her grandchildren; Melinda Dougan (Uriel Trinidad) of Hillsboro, OR, Jordan (Abigail) Beers of Tigard, OR, Lauren (Tim) Riley of Eugene, OR. Her step-grandchildren; Jessica (Russell) Clarke of Midland, TX, Ryan Worland of Midland, TX, Trisha Brown of Silver City, NM, Jennifer Brown of Tucson, AZ, Cassie Kirby of White Salmon, WA, Chelsea (Dustin) Ward of Vancouver, WA, Garrett (Katie) Garvin of Oceanside, CA, Parker McAnally and Sierra McAnally of Pacific Grove, CA. Her two great-grand children; Henry Riley and Carly Riley of Eugene, OR, and her twelve step-great grand children; Hunter Worland, Haley Worland, Eva Ward, Walker, Avery, and Faith Wenzel, Kasia Brown, Lawrence Aquino, Reese and Reed Clarke, Jackson Kirby, and Beau Garvin and her sister- in-law Sharon Parker, her Aunt Shirlee Sanford, many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Her Celebration of Life service will be held at First Baptist Church 3550 Fox Meadow Road in Eugene, OR at 2:00 pm Sunday, November 17, 2024, with a dinner reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church children’s playground project or their missionary fund in memory of Barbara McAnally or a charity of your choice.