Barbara Ann (Payton) Ownbey, 78, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2026 at The Arbors Highland Crest Care in Kirksville.

Born February 22, 1948 in Flint, Michigan, Barbara was the daughter of the late Grover Robin and Thelma Mae (Carson) Payton. She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Robin Marie Helm. On April 2, 1966 in Gifford, Missouri, Barbara was united in marriage to James Otis Ownbey who preceded her in death on May 25, 2022.

Barbara is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Lisa and Mark Johnson of Kirksville, MO, and Tracy Ownbey of Queen City, MO; five grandchildren, Alicia (Matt) Smith, Shelby Johnson and fiancé Colton Scott, Holly (Nate) Dinwiddie, Cody Helm (Emily Cornelison), Tierra (Larry ) Logston; as well as twenty-four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Barbara was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1966. She retired after a number of years as a quality assurance specialist for Hollister Inc.

Barbara enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards and riding side by sides. She never cared where they would go as long as she could go along as well.

Public visitation will be held Monday, September 21, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a funeral service following at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Virgil Jones officiating. Interment will follow the service at Union Temple Cemetery, west of Kirksville, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be Cody Helm, Matt Smith, Roland Lindsey, Donnie Yantis, Tony Barnes, and Dennis McClanahan.

Memorial donations in memory of Barbara may be made to the Union Temple Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.