Barbara A. Soulsby

Barbara Ann Soulsby, age 70 years, a resident of Vienna, passed away Saturday afternoon, April 2, 2016, at 2 PM at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Barbara was born July 2, 1945 in Portland, Oregon. She was the third of four children born to Joseph Stanley Soulsby and Aleatha June (Herr) Soulsby. During her childhood, Barbara and her family lived in a number of locations; moving from state to state with her father’s employment. Barbara is survived by: her children – Barbara Kay Averitt and her fiancé Jimmy Pennington of Goreville, Albert Vic (his wife, Nicole) Soulsby of the Lake of Egypt, and Aleatha Rose Wright of Vienna; 4 grandchildren – Christian Nathaniel Averitt, Ryan Wright, Thomas Albert Soulsby, and Jillian Nicole Soulsby; 2 brothers – Lewis James Lavin of Washington and Stanley Alferd Lavin of North Carolina along with their families; a sister – Ramona Arlene (her husband, Roger) Craig of Goreville; a nephew – Kenny Schaefer of Jefferson City, Tennessee; as well as a host of other relatives and many dear friends. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, 2 grandsons – Caleb Matthew Averitt and Dylan Tyler Averitt; an infant nephew – Daryl Dwayne Schaefer; as well as her loving companion and the father of her children, Albert Vic Martinko. Barbara was a homemaker. She had a passion for serving others and enjoyed volunteering at local nursing homes. Barbara is also remembered for her gift of writing. She wrote countless letters and sent many greeting cards expressing wishes of encouragement. Barbara was of the Pentecostal faith. When her health permitted, she attended the Goreville First Pentecostal Church, Faith Harvest Assembly and The Shawnee Worship Center both in Vienna. In her youth, Barbara enjoyed fishing, hiking, hunting native American arrowheads, mowing grass, as well as gardening and assisting with the farm work. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon, April 6, 2016, at 1 PM at the First Pentecostal Church, 915 North Broadway, Goreville, Illinois 62939. Pastor R.G. Null will officiate. Burial will be in the Cana Cemetery, north of Goreville. Visitation will be conducted from 12 Noon – 1 PM Wednesday at the First Pentecostal Church in Goreville. Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, 3450 Park Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63104 or to Barbara’s family to assist with expenses.

Barbara A. Soulsby

July 2, 1945 - April 2, 2016