Barbara E. Fitzsimmons

**Barbara E. Fitzsimmons**, 88 of Versailles passed away at 1:15pm Thursday, October 22, 2015 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. She was born on April 1, 1927 in Pamona, California the daughter of Oscar and Mildred Perry Flentge. She was married to Raymond Fitzsimmons on June 12, 1947 and her husband of 68 years survives. Other survivors include four sons Rev. Bruce (Sara) Fitzsimmons of Versailles, Raymond Jr. (Zoie) of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, Galen (Becky) of Indianapolis, and Dean (Martha) of Kansas City, Missouri; one daughter Freda (Gary) Warinner of Alton, Illinois; 21 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Don Flentge, and her sisters Lois Lowry, Leora Spotswood, Beth McLain, and Carol Cross. Mrs. Fitzsimmons graduated high school at age 16 and attended the Arizona Bible Institute and also the Columbia, South Carolina Bible College. She retired from the Texas Medical Foundation in Austin where she worked as a secretary, but her main objective in life was being a mother and a pastor's wife. She was also an accomplished pianist and taught piano to many young people and also had the privilege one time to accompany George Beverly Shea. Barbara was a member of the Washington Baptist Church in Elrod where she served as a Sunday School teacher and church pianist. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 26 at 7pm at the Washington Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Dempsey officiating. Visitation will begin at the church at 5pm. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, October 27 at 11:30am at the Roachdale Cemetery in Roachdale, Indiana. Memorials may be given to the Washington Baptist Church missionary fund in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home.