Barbara Matthews Stocking

Barbara A. Matthews Stocking, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, passed away on April 1st, 2024 in Leesburg, Georgia. She was born on October 14th, 1942  in Albany, Georgia to JB and Velma Matthews. 

A celebration of life will be held, 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Life Spring Church, 320 Fussell Rd, Leesburg.  Rev. Mark Knight and George Barrett will officiate. 

A true southern woman, Barbara's life was one of grace, humility, love, and compassion, whether it was through fostering over thirty children or through her nursing career. She traveled extensively as a military wife but always bloomed where she was planted and had a special affinity for “back home” in the South, and touched the lives of all who knew her with her kind heart and gentle spirit. Her family meant everything to her; she cherished every moment spent with them and created countless memories that will be treasured forever.

Barbara was a lifelong follower of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her faith never wavered. She shared her experience and faith in Christ with everyone. It was that faith and belief that carried her through the death of her husband and her son Rick.

Barbara married Richard L. Stocking Sr. on April 27th, 1963 and had four children together, Richard Jr. (Rick), Stephen, Rhonda, and Mark. After Richard’s passing in 1983, there was not a day or moment that went by without a memory or treasured story shared about him, a love that carried Barbara through the years without him.

Quick witted and an excellent memory always came forward in her storytelling and recollections on her life, travels, and adventures. There was nothing she couldn’t do or wouldn’t do, and was fearless in all things. She loved her family and friends with a fierceness and to have her on your side was to have no better ally. To say she will be missed is an understatement and our lives are better for being loved by her. 

She is survived by three children: son Stephen W. Stocking and his wife Sharon; daughter Rhonda L. Anno and her husband Larry, and Mark W. Stocking; grandchildren Ashlee, Brittany, Cody, Lane, Jessica, and Veronica; great grandchildren Kendal, Rileigh, Hadley, and Harper; and by two brothers, Julian “Matt” Matthews and Don Matthews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, son Rick, and three brothers and a sister, Jack, Bill, Jesse, and Margie. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Randy Johnson Memorial Fund, PO BOX 115, Macon, MO 63552 or to the Phoebe Foundation Lights of Love www.supportphoebe.org.