Barbara Gayle Alderman was born in Winnfield, LA on October 5, 1943 to Cecil Curtis Alderman and Helen Marie Kelly Alderman (Pete). Barbara passed away peacefully on the morning of January 7, 2022. At the time of her death, she was 78 years old and was residing at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home in Winnfield, LA. Barbara was survived by her daughter, Lisa Stewart, four grandchildren (Savanna Stewart, Sean Stewart, Erin Lindsey and Dru Lindsey), one great grandson (Robert Leon Stewart), one brother (Rodney Alderman), one sister (Cecile Alderman) and two nieces (Helen Graham and Kristen Baudoin). She also had a son (Michael Lindsey) who passed in 2020.

Over the years, Barbara lived in Winnfield, Jonesboro, Natchitoches and Zwolle, LA as well as Colorado Springs, CO, collecting new friends and memories along the way. Barbara worked many decades in the banking business, getting her start at the Winnfield Federal Savings & Loan where she worked as Secretary to the President of the Bank. Later she worked at Peoples State Bank in Zwolle and Many, LA. In 2005, she moved to Colorado Springs, CO and fearlessly accepted the role of Assistant to the Director of Nursing at a busy Medicare-certified home health care agency (a stark departure from her usual banking role).

Barbara returned to Winnfield, LA in 2006 and worked with the local food pantry and exercise class; she later enjoyed many years of retirement.

Spending quality time with family and friends as well as travelling to new and exciting places were some of Barbara's favorite past-times. During holidays, she loved to cook and share favorite family recipes; those gatherings would always result in card-playing (Rook, Crazy 10, Louisiana's own 'Bourré' with a penny ante) or board games; she especially liked Scrabble. She could be both a homebody and an adventurer. While working at the bank in Many, La, she went on several cruises to the Caribbean, Hawaii and other outings with friends and co-workers, keeping everyone in stitches as only Barbara could. With family and friends, she traveled to numerous areas from coast to coast and points in-between. She was first in line to 'take it all in:' the beach, live theatre, movies, comedy clubs, concerts, restaurants, museums, hiking, white-water rafting, sight-seeing and, of course, shopping.

Barbara loved Native American Indians due to her beloved grandmother being half-Cherokee. As a teenager and while on a school outing, her time at Ridgecrest & the 'Lover's Leap' area in the Appalachians of North Carolina was the jump-start of a decades-long fascination with Indians. Pictures of Barbara posed with Indian statues, Totem Poles or actual Indian cliffs and dwellings are probably in the households of all who knew her. Even her Christmas tree was trimmed with Indian decorations. Upon entering her home, it would become immediately apparent that Barbara was a fan of Indian collectibles.

Barbara loved to go on shopping trips (comically referred to as 'Retail Therapy') with her family and friends; she could spend hours at a mall or outlet center and loved to purchase for herself and others. Famously known  for her generosity, Barbara would often insist on picking up the check for a meal when dining out with friends or family. Most of all, Barbara loved to spend one-on-one time with close family and friends, but also enjoyed being the 'life of the party' at reunions and social gatherings. Barbara often became quite animated when telling stories and recalling events; gut-rushing bouts of uncontrollable 'laughing fits' were Barbara's favorite form of exercise. That's how she would want to be remembered!

A Memorial Service will be held at a time/place to be arranged at a later date. In closing, I am reminded of a quote which has been claimed by many but actually remains Anonymous and accurately describes the impact Barbara had on the lives of many: "People will forget what she said; people will forget what she did; but people will NEVER forget how she made them feel!" Rest in peace, sweet Barbara!