Barbara Ann Martin Meade, beloved mother to three children, age 79, of Union Grove, Alabama, passed away from this life on June 8, 2024.
She was born in Fayetteville, Tennessee on August 27, 1944, to Elbert Arthur Martin and Louise Shockley Martin. In the 1950s the family moved to Detroit, Michigan for their father’s work where her younger brother Brian Keith Martin was born in 1957. After finishing high school at Mackenzie High in 1962, Barbara went on to complete a degree in mental health/social work from Oakland University.
It was in Detroit that Barbara met the love of her life, Frank Edward Meade, and began their married journey on November 28, 1964. Early in their marriage, they had a great love of riding motorcycles and traveling our great country.
Barbara was a devoted mother, blessed in the marriage to have first son, Frank Martin Meade in 1967, daughter, Kathy Louise Meade Hickman in 1970, and youngest son, Matthew Scott Meade (Matt) in 1977.
In time she became “Gram” to grandchildren, Franklin Clinton Meade “Frankie” (30), Hannah Rose Hickman (26), Samuel Martin Hickman “Sam” (23), Jacob Daniel Meade (19), Maximilian Scott Meade “Max” (11), Alexandria Elizabeth Meade “Lexi” (7), and latest addition, great-grandson, Franklin Asher Meade “Asher” (6), who were all the absolute joy of her life.
After her husband Frank was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), she moved her family in 1984 to Union Grove, Alabama where she committed her life to her husband’s constant care until his death on September 11, 2001.
Barbara was preceded in death by her infant brother, Elbert Anthony Martin in 1947, father, Elbert Arthur Martin in 1983, her husband, Frank Edward Meade in 2001, and her mother, Louise Shockley Martin in 2011.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses Penny Jean Meade, Christopher Martin Hickman, and Stephanie Roxanne Meade, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, brother, Brian and his wife, Shelia Reliford Martin, and their two children (Mandy and Meagan) and their three grandchildren who will never forget the love and laughter she brought into their lives.
Barbara was truly amazing: a voracious reader, an accomplished painter, and an avid collector. She was just as tough as steel. She shared a 20-year battle of MS with her husband, experienced two heart attacks in 1993 and 1994, double bypass, heart valve stents, breast cancer in 2010, double knee replacement, and finally her latest 2-year battle with peritoneal cancer and a stroke. Through all these trials and tribulations, she kept her faith in God and her unique sense of humor.
Respecting her final wishes, there will be a small private family service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made in her name to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, American Cancer Society, National MS Society, or your favorite charity.
