Barbara Jean Birkhead Jeffries, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at Elsberry Health Care Center. She was born on June 2, 1936, the fifth child born to Walter and Blanche Irvin Cannon in Winfield, MO. Barbara was raised with her seven siblings; Doris, Betty, Jimmy, Marjorie, Vivian, Rene and Donna. They attended the local schools and Barbara graduated from Winfield High School. She and Kenneth Birkhead were united in marriage on March 3, 1956. They were blessed with 5 children; Vivian Ann, Joseph Lynn, Beth Renee, Darrell Eugene and Bonnie Jean. She was an avid bowler, in 1977 she was the first woman in the St. Louis Area to bowl a perfect game of 300. Barb was employed at Thornhill Real Estate for 17 years and she did an excellent job. Barbara later married Norman "Jeff' Jeffries on November 26, 1986. Together they built a life of love while they joyfully watched all of the grandchildren grow. They were blessed with 13 grandchildren. You could always find Barb and Jeff at a kid's ballgame, driving and enjoying the music or having countless sleepovers with their grandchildren. That is the life they loved and enjoyed living. After Jeff, passed away, Barb became very sick and had a hospital stay. After a time in rehabilitation, it was clear Barb could not stay by herself anymore. She became a resident of Elsberry Health Care Center. Her time there was truly a blessing. She and Marjorie shared a room together, as they were best friends and sisters. Barbara went on to compete in the Ms. Nursing Home Pageant and won first runner up. Which was exactly what she wanted, as the winner would go on to Branson and she didn't want to go that far.

She is survived by her children; Vivian and husband Don Rottger of Old Monroe, MO, Joseph Birkhead of Hawk Point, MO, Beth and husband Jeff Burkemper of Troy, MO, Darrell and wife Kerri Birkhead of Winfield, MO and Bonnie and husband Doug Westhoff of Troy, MO, 13 grandchildren; Jeremy, Deanna, Josh, Todd, Amanda, Mollie, Ashley, Katie, Jamie, Brett, Bayley, Michael and Brandon, 25 great-grandchildren, siblings; Vivian Turnbull, Rene and Ken Meers and Donna and John Adams, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, sisters; Doris Graves and Betty Ferguson, Marjorie Colbert, brother: Jimmy Cannon, and her beloved husband of 28 years, Norman "Jeff" Jeffries who died on January 13, 2015.

Visitation – to be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 3 p.m.- 7 p.m. at McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory 1304 Boone Street Troy, MO 63379

Funeral- also to be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 7 p.m. McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory 1304 Boone Street Troy, MO 63379 Pallbearers will be: Jeremy Rottger, Josh Birkhead, Todd Rottger, Brett Henke, Ron Vaughn and Billy Colbert.

Interment- Private