Barbara Jean Bayless

Barbara Jean (Owens) Bayless, 91, passed away at Warrensburg Manor, Warrensburg, MO, on September 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

A graveside service will be held at 1:30p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Mount Tabor Cemetery, 12507 Mr. Tabor Rd., Odessa, Missouri, 64076. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Odessa Backsnack program. Memories of Barbara and condolences for her family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. Second St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524.

Barbara was born on November 24, 1933, in Neosho, Missouri to Clement and Martina (Moody) Owens. She graduated from Neosho High School in 1951. She then attended college at Southwest Baptist College for a year where she met Calvin D. Bayless. They were married on November 14, 1952. Barbara worked at Unitog for several years then went to work at First Baptist Church as a secretary for ten years. She and Calvin opened a store in Odessa called The Patchwork Mercantile. Barbara served on the Odessa City Council, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, as well as the Back Snack Program. She was a member of Long Branch Baptist Church until moving to Odessa in 1982 where she became a member of the First Baptist Church of Odessa. Barbara had a beautiful singing voice. She took great pride in her Native American heritage and loved sharing her family’s history.

Barbara was loved immensely and will be missed by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. She demonstrated unwavering love and pride in each and every member of her family.

Barbara is survived by her five children: Rebecca Bayless (Shane) of Joplin, MO, Dale Bayless (Mila) of Joplin, MO, Dan Bayless (Nelma) of Neosho, MO, Tom Bayless (Gay Lynn) of Warrensburg, MO, and Joe Bayless (Beth) of Warrensburg, MO.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter, Tamhra Bayless; two sisters, Betty Jo Wells, Nadine Newell; two brothers; Ed Owens, James Owens; and a Grandson, Joshua Bayless.