Teresa Lynn (Shoemate) Barber

Teresa Lynn (Shoemate) Barber, of Jacksonville, died October 25 in Benton, IL.  She was the eldest daughter of Everett B. and Karol Sue Shoemate and was born in Lomax, IL, on June 12, 1955. Growing up, she was active in Girl Scouts, 4-H, Medical Explorers, and band.  She graduated from Abingdon High School in 1973, and earned her R.N. from St. Francis School of Nursing in Peoria. 

She worked as an R.N. for 45 years in the Peoria, Springfield, and Jacksonville areas where she impacted countless lives during her time working in the NICU, ICU, Cardiac Care Unit, and surgical recovery unit.  She also worked for several years in pediatric home health care. 

In 1982, she married David Barber of Galesburg. They were the proud dog parents of several daschunds and Molly the Bassett Hound. Teresa was an active member of the Central Christian Church where she enjoyed volunteering in the nursery, in the church office, as well as several other ways such as Doorbell Dinners and taking communion to the shut-in and elderly.  She liked playing in work-league softball and volleyball, camping, travelling, spending time with family, crafting the perfect Christmas-present bow, and collecting dolls and all things Disney. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, and her husband, David. She is survived by two sisters, Wendy Jeralds and Marla Jarmer; her brother-in-law, John Russell; two nephews, Adam Calero and Andrew Jarmer; three nieces, Elizabeth Calero, Rachel Calero, and Chloe Jarmer; and a great nephew and great niece, Ben and June Calero.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Central Christian Church of Jacksonville at 11:00 AM on November 4. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorials be made to the Central Christian Church accessibility fund.

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