Barbara Bernetta Myers

Barbara Bernetta Myers, 88 of Rantoul, Illinois, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2023 while surrounded by family.

Barbara was born the second child of Huey McGowan and Alice Marjiel Varnado McGowan on August 19, 1934 in Picayune, Mississippi.  Barbara loved sports and dancing and was lovingly referred to as 'BB.'

BB met L.T. Myers in Picayune and upon her graduation from high school they married on April 12, 1952.  Early the following year they moved to Chicago, Illinois where they raised seven children: Sandra, Allyson, Darrell, Russell, Kevin, Lerome and Terrance.  The home created by BB and L.T. was welcoming to all and the hub for many family events. When BB and L.T. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2002, they witnessed the good wishes and love expressed by family and friends.

The Myers family attended Mount Pleasant M.B. Church where BB was a choir member. When L.T. and BB purchased their home in 1964 they moved their membership to Maryland Avenue Baptist Church.  In 1979, BB began attending The King's Community Church and served many years as an intercessory prayer member. BB ‘stood in the gap’ for many in many different ways. After selling their home, BB and L.T. moved to Rantoul in 2013 where she began attending Christian Life Church.

BB was preceded in death by her parents, Huey McGowan and Alice Marjiel McGowan Smith, her husband of seventy years L.T. Myers, her eldest son Darrell (Sheretta), her sister Joyce McGowan Graham and her brother James Huey McGowan.

BB had a close and loving relationship with all of her children and was Nana to all. She leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Nola McGowan Patterson; six children: Sandra Brown, Allyson Thomas (James), Russell Myers (Denise), Kevin Myers (Lisa), Lerome Myers (Akeyla) and Terrance Myers; thirteen grandchildren: Eboni Burns, Kenyon Brown, Willie Myers, Malori Turner, LaTonya Myers, Brittane Brown, Erick Myers, Kquiera Myers, Diamond Myers, Jade Myers, Kimani Myers, Jalyn Clay and Aleese Myers; twenty-three great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral services will be at noon May 27 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home, 1215 W. Bradley Ave., U. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. May 27 at the funeral home.

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