Barbara J. (Woods) Garner, age 82 and a long-time resident of Alexandria, passed away peacefully and on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at her daughter's home in Elwood surrounded by her family following an extended illness.  She was born May 11, 1935 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the daughter of Charles J.E. and Jane Francis (Rousseau) Woods.  She was a 1953 graduate of Portsmouth High School and later married the love of her life, Grady D. Garner, on Nov. 5, 1955 and they shared over 54 years together.  Barbara was a homemaker most of her life, and also an Avon Representative in the area for over 30 years, known to many people as the "Avon Lady".  She also formerly worked for a few years at General Motors in Arkansas.  She was a devoted member of St. Mary's Church in Alexandria where she sang in the church choir and was the "go-to person" for chicken and noodles for funeral dinners.  Barbara was also a member of the Daughters of Isabella, enjoyed playing solitaire on her I-Pad, and loved John Wayne movies.  She enjoyed garage sales, good food, good drinks, spending time with her family, and yearly trips to New England.  She especially cared about kids and young children.  Barbara was known by many and loved by all and had a saying that "into everyone's life, a little rain must fall".  The family wishes to thank Barbara's hospice nurse, Leanna, for the exceptional care given to Barbara in recent months.

Barbara's family includes 7 children, Teresa (husband Brett) Etchison of Elwood, Jane Hummel of Muncie, Dianna Wilson of Anderson, Anita Garner of Noblesville, Valeria (husband Bret) Taber of Martinez, CA, Karen (husband Scott) King of Ft. Myers Beach, FL, and Rick (wife Angelia) Garner of Belton, MO; 2 brothers, Mark "Butch" Woods (companion Shirley Macdonald) of Portsmouth, NH, and Peter Rousseau of Minnesota; 4 sisters, Claire (husband Gunnar) Kenison of Maine, Norma (Woods) Hill of Concord, CA, Kim Pendleton of Naples, FL, and Mary (Rousseau) Conroy of Portsmouth, NH; 15 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Grady D. Garner who passed away in 2010; 3 brothers, Joseph Rousseau, David Woods, and Paul Woods; sister, Rita Woods; son-in-law, David Hummel; grandson, Aaron Hummel; and great-granddaughter, Makayla Richards.

A funeral mass celebrating Barbara's life will be conducted at 11:00 am Friday, April 20, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria with Father Dan Duff officiating.  Visitation will be held from 10:15 to 11:00 am on Friday just prior to the funeral mass at the church.  Burial will take place in Jones Cemetery in Amity, Arkansas on Sunday, April 22, 2018.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Mary's Building Fund.  Envelopes will be provided at the church.  Online expressions of condolence may be made at copherfeslermay.com.  Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for the Garner family.