Barbara J. Bigham, 89, of Maryville, IL., born July 21, 1929, in Granite City, IL., passed away Monday, January 7, 2019, in Edwardsville, IL.

Beginning in 1936, as a youth, Barbara would sit beside the radio with her family listening to Franz Laux and Gabby Street announce the St. Louis Cardinal baseball games, and she remained a true fan of the team until her death.

Barbara was born and raised in Granite City, IL., and went through the Granite City school system with the exception of 1939 – 1944 when her father's position transferred the family to Millstadt, IL. In 1944 she returned to Granite City to finish high school graduating in 1947. After high school Barbara enrolled in the Missouri Baptist Nursing School and graduated in 1950 as a registered nurse. Later in 1950 she married her longtime sweetheart, Tom Bigham. During their 64 year marriage Barbara raised 5 children.

Barbara became an exceptional amateur genealogist, tracing her family tree back to 1649. In 2016 she documented her ancestral lineage and became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Edwardsville Chapter. Along with her husband Tom, she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Edwardville, IL., where she was a deacon's wife.

Barbara was preceded in death by her Husband Thomas Bigham; her son Scott Bigham; her daughter Tamara Moffatt; her parents, Charles and Nannie, nee Sells, Turner; her brothers, Charles R. Turner Jr., Donald W. Turner; her sister Dora J. Bennett.

She is survived by her son Thomas Bigham Jr.; her daughters, Rebecca Bigham, Shelley, nee Bigham, Greenwood; son-in-law Vince Moffatt; her 7 grandchildren, Seth Moffatt, Megan Moffett, Lindsay Ledbetter, Sam Mathews, Zane Mathews, Kara Greenwood and Tory Greenwood; she is also survived by her 6 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Collinsville Area Meals on Wheels, St. Jude's Research Hospital and Wounded Warrior Project and can be received at Sunset Hill Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.herrfuneral.com . The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to friends from Calvary Baptist Church along with others for their kindness and compassion that they have shown.

Visitation: Family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 10, 2019, at Sunset Hill Funeral Home, 50 Fountain Dr., Glen Carbon, IL.

Funeral: Funeral Services for Barbara will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2019, at Sunset Hill Funeral Home with Pastor Robert Schneider officiating. Burial services will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates, Glen Carbon, IL.