A premature girl weighing less than 5 lbs. at birth, Barbara Ann [Polk] Dillon died September 4, 2024.
from osteosarcoma at the age of 72. A believer in Jesus Christ, baptized for the remission of sins [Mark
16:16], saved [1 Peter 3:21], and added to the church of Christ by the Lord Himself [Acts 2:41-47], she
was recipient of a festschrift written in her honor by persons connected with Heritage Christian University
at an awards day ceremony. The festschrift was entitled A Gentle and Quiet Spirit. Mrs. Dillon was
employed by Heritage Christian University [formerly International Bible College] for nearly 30 years
before cancer forced her retirement.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 48 years, Kevin Patrick Dillon; a son, Richard Patrick Dillon,
daughter-in-law Jessica Lou Treadway Rose Dillon; grandson Timothy Elijah Dillon; two sisters, Glenda
Joyce [Polk] Baker [Dan] of Nebraska and Mary Lynn [Polk] Overturf [Rick] of Raleigh, North Carolina;
brothers-in-law Kelly Dillon [Paula] of Killen, Alabama and Owen Mitchell of Eustis, Florida; and
numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, Lonnie Lawton & Martha [Barton] Polk; her parents-in-law, Fred
Louis & Mary Nelle [Butler] Dillon; and by her sister Martha Gail [Polk] Mitchell.
Barbara graduated from Alabama Christian College [now Faulkner University] and attended Freed-
Hardeman University [formerly Freed-Hardeman College] for two years, where she was a Chapel Singers
member. She was a soloist in the “This I Know Singers” choral group, directed by Pat Ward, at HCU.
Her solo piece was “This Little Light of Mine.” She had a lovely soprano voice, studied voice under Millie
McDonald, and sang at funerals and weddings.
Barbara was employed by Teague Hardware in Montgomery, Alabama to earn money for her education.
After her marriage, she taught at Playcare in Florence, Alabama. When her husband underwent a
serious surgery in the 1980s, she substituted for him in the shipping department at Mars Hill Book Store
so that he would have time to heal and be able to retain his job. “Miss Barbara” began her career with
HCU as a nursery worker for students’ children, became nursery supervisor, transferred to donor
services, then served as switchboard operator for the university. Shortly after moving to another
department, she began having pain and her cancer was discovered by CT scan.
Barbara taught children’s Bible classes at Kilburn and Mt. Zion Churches of Christ. She edited numerous
New Testament Word Search Puzzle Books to make sure all hidden words could be found before
publication. Because of her faithful Christian example, her son is a gospel preacher and is married to a
faithful Christian, and her grandson is a songleader at Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ in Ohio.
A private graveside service is planned for family only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that
donations be made to Bethel Berry Church of Christ, c/o Melvin Stevenson Jr., Treasurer, 310 W. Rasch
Rd., Florence, AL 35633, for reconstruction of its building following a fire, OR to Heritage Christian
University, P.O. Box HCU, 3625 Helton Dr., Florence, Al 35630. A private service was held with Williams funeral home assisting.
