Barbara (Sue) Bagby Thompson, 64, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 with her loving husband and sons by her side. She was born on August 8, 1956 in Marshfield, MO., the second child of Richard (Rick) Bagby and Shirley J. Bagby. Barbara is survived by her father Rick Bagby, husband Donald Thompson of Gilbert and sons Matthew and Michael of Phoenix. She is also survived by three sisters, Joyce Walls of Las Vegas, NV., Linda (Mike) Jobe of Kansas City, MO., Patricia (Brian) Burns of Geneva, IL., and a brother Steven (Donna) Bagby of Carmel, CA. and nieces Molly and Renner Burns, Jillian Jobe, Megan Walls and Rachel Bagby. She also loved and was loved by her Thompson family including mother-in-law, Eva Thompson, sister’s and brother’s-in-law Betsy (Tim) Vicente, Donna (Pete) Buchert and George (Brenda) Thompson along with nieces and nephews Sean (Jennifer) Vicente; Meghan Buchert, Casey Buchert, Brian (Danielle) Buchert, Blake (Makenzie) Buchert, Kathryn (Adam) Grieser, Luke Thompson, Brandon Bressman and Marissa (Aaron) Eaton along with several great nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death and there to meet her in heaven was her mother, Shirley, her Renner and Bagby grandparents, uncle and aunt John (Billie) Bagby, her aunt Jodie (Kenneth) Clift and aunt Retha Redlesbeger along with her father-in-law George O. Thompson, Jr. and sister-in-law Patricia Thompson and by her Labrador Best Friends for nearly twenty-five years: Jordan, Taz and Charlie Brown.
Barb’s family moved from Springfield, MO. to Aurora, MO. in 1968, where she graduated from Aurora High School in 1974. Soon after graduation, the family moved to Ireland for Rick’s work. Barb and some of her family returned to Aurora a year later but have many fond memories and stories of their time spent in Ireland. Barb attended Southwest Missouri State for a short time but decided to attend and graduated from cosmetology school. However, Barb elected to go to work at a bank in Springfield and that is where she and Don met in 1980. They were married May 1, 1982 at the United Methodist Church in Aurora. Barb and Don have lived in St. Joseph, MO. (10 years) where their sons were born, Overland Park, KS. (15 years) and in Arizona for the past 13 years,
Barb was an avid reader (often having three books going at the same time), she loved to cook for her family, attend her sons’ school and sporting activities, decorate the home, working retail at Williams Sonoma, Coldwater Creek and the Bombay Company, watching Wheel and Jeopardy and enjoying a glass of red wine or a good margarita. Some of her happiest memories were spent with Don’s family at their Lake of the Ozarks house beginning in 1981 with perhaps the most memorable being for a week just this past Labor Day with several family members joining in. She enjoyed tailgating in the fall at Mizzou football games from 1995 to 2006, cheering on the KC Chiefs and Royals to their Superbowl and World Series victories, backyard BBQ’s and pool parties, a large diet coke from Sonic, and traveling/driving trips with her Bagby family in her early years to see new places and later with Don and “the boys” to see Disney World, several of the National Parks and her favorite AZ places like the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Jerome plus trips to Maui and our trip a few years ago to Italy (Rome, Florence and Venice).
But Barb is best remembered for her calm and kind nature, putting others first and her unwavering love for her family and friends. Barb was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in early 2015. Over the past few years, she very much disliked the fact this horrible disease was taking away her ability to enjoy many of the things she liked to do. But she faced the disease with courage, stubborn optimism, calm and dignity. She will be greatly missed by her husband, sons, and extended family. The family wishes to express its appreciation to Hospice of the Valley, Dobson Home, for their guidance and care during her final week.
Given the ongoing constraints of COVID-19 and per Barb’s wishes, the family will be holding a Celebration of Life memorial service in the spring of 2021 in Missouri. Details are yet to be finalized. In lieu of flowers and for those who wish to honor Barb’s legacy, memorial donations are suggested in her name to any of the following organizations:
Lewy Body Dementia Association: www.lbda.org or the Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter; www.alz.org/dsw
KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc.- changing lives one dog at a time – provide guide dogs for the visually impaired, service dogs to assist individuals with physical disabilities, and facility dogs that assist professionals in the field of education, counseling, healthcare, retirement, or the legal system. 120 W. 7th Street, Washington, KS. 66968 or www.KSDS.org (Donate Now).
Phoenix Dream Center – a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit committed to stopping human trafficking, fighting drug addiction, ending childhood hunger and educating tomorrows leaders who are passionate about investing in hands-on ministry preparation. Services include a residential rehabilitation program, shelter and care for victims of human trafficking, affordable housing for men and women in transition, and distribution of food and clothing throughout various Phoenix neighborhoods where the predominately poor reside. 3210 Grand Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85017 www.phoenixdreamcenter.org
Hospice of the Valley – Dobson Home, 1188 N. Dodson Road, Chandler, AZ 85224
Or to the charity of your preference.
Condolences may be expressed at www.bunkercares.com
We continue to pray for you and your family. Looking forward to a big backyard BBQ with you and you sweetheart on the other side my friend. Love you! Scott and Tracy Morris family
So beautiful and well stated. Jim and I are continuing to pray for you and your family during this time. Barb is flying her beautiful angel wings just the way she should be, out of the misery of the awful disease. We love you – The Stevens Family.
Very nice obituary! She had a full life but was taken way too soon. Tanya and I continue to keep you and your son’s in our prayers. Mike and Tanya Nelson
You and the boys are in our prayers. We are there for you. Please lean on us.
You are in our hearts and our prayers. Thank you for sharing this beautiful testament to Barb’s beautiful life. She sounds like such a wonderful and amazing light, what a blessing to have shared your life with her. Bless you, Don.
Barbara, we had so much fun being teenage neighbors. I wish are paths would have crossed again in our adult years. I have so many good memories of your family. Love to all them and sweet Barbara enjoy your heavenly adventure. Love, Julie