Barbara Carol (Shull) Avery, 82, passed away January 8, 2022 at the Chateau of Batesville.
Barbara was born December 25, 1939 in Elwood, Indiana, the second of four children born to Burgess Krider and Elva Frances (Miller) Shull. She graduated from Elwood High School in 1958, went on to cosmetology school, and graduated in 1959.
When Barbara was 16 years old and working as a waitress part time, a nice looking man caught her eye as he entered the restaurant. His name was Fred Avery and they began dating in 1955. They were married January 2, 1960 and were just two days shy of their 61st anniversary when Fred passed away on December 31, 2020.
Fred and Barbara raised three children, Tammy, Jeff, and Tim. They spent most of their working lives in Indianapolis. Barbara was a stay at home mom until the kids were in high school and her family was her focus. She was often at one school or another helping with whatever needed to be done from tutoring students, suppling cookies and decorations for parties, to running car pool.
After the kids got older, Barbara worked at Goodwill Industries teaching upholstery- which was something she had taught herself to do. She left that job to go back to being a server at Swenson’s Ice Cream Parlor for several years until retirement. Fred and Barbara traveled some after their kids were grown. They visited Branson several times, the Dakotas, Niagara Falls, and took one trip to Hawaii before settling in Batesville to enjoy the rest of their years together.
Barbara’s passion in her leisure time was knitting and crocheting. She made literally thousands of items over the years including afghans, baby sweaters and blankets, Christmas angels, Christmas bells, and countless ornaments. There isn’t anyone in the family that doesn’t have something hand made by her that will always be cherished.
Barbara will be missed her children, Tammy (Bill) Dietz of St. Marys, Indiana and Jeff (Quinetta) Avery of Lebanon, Indiana; grandchildren, Karen (Joshua) Smith, Melissa Ashpaugh, Brandon Beausoliel; great grandchildren, Joshua (JJ) Smith, Cameron Smith, Hope Ashpaugh, Avery Ashpaugh, Heather Ashpaugh, and Zachary Ashpaugh; sister, Ruth Lum of Anderson, Indiana, along with several nieces and nephews.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, whom she always referred to as her best friend and the love of her life, and her youngest son, Tim. Her brothers, Burgess and Jesse Shull, also preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Burial will take place at Curtisville Cemetery in Curtisville, IN.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Chateau of Batesville Activities Fund. They may be brought to services or mailed to: Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
Please feel free to leave a memory or a message of comfort to Barbara’s family in the online guestbook at www.meyersfuneralhomes.com.