Obituary
Barbara Jean Neth, Lee’s Summit, MO—Barbara Neth, 90, passed away unexpectedly on November 26, 2024. Barbara was born on March 20, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Paul Irwin and Hazel Pearl Merritt. Barbara attended Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School, Central High School, Kansas City Community College, and William Jewell College, where she met her husband, Hubert Neth.
They were married on March 29, 1956, and then moved to Indiana for Hubert to attend seminary. Hubert’s work as a United Methodist minister required the family to relocate frequently with their four young daughters.
Creativity ran in Barbara’s blood. She was a talented watercolor artist and loved weaving and sewing for her daughters and grandchildren. She loved learning new watercolor techniques and never passed up an opportunity to take a road trip to attend a class in painting or weaving—traveling to Colorado, California, and New Mexico. She enjoyed sharing her passion by hosting painting classes for friends and young neighbors.
Barbara was a signature member of the Missouri Watercolor Society and Summit Art. Her work was exhibited in many art shows, including Harrisonville Fine Art Show, Warrensburg Gallery Walk, and Blue Springs Fine Art Show, in addition to local art fairs like Westport, Brookside, Ward Parkway, Lee’s Summit Days, etc. Her awards include Artist of the Year, Greater Kansas City Art Association; Best of Show, Prairie Village Art Show; and Artists’ Choice, Metcalf South Art Show. Additionally, she was selected for the Missouri Top 50 in 1998 and 2002. Her work has been featured at St. Luke’s East Hospital and Five Petals Flowers in Lee’s Summit. You may find her art at Powell Gardens and Gallery 104 in Kirksville. There are also many local homes across the metro area where you’ll find her beautiful paintings.
As a young girl, she rode horses at Benjamin Stables. She shared that passion with her granddaughter Christine and later took pride in watching Chris compete in horse shows. Another of her passions was music. Each time the family moved, Barbara made sure to bring along her prized baby grand piano. Her favorite musicians were Bob Dylan, Willy Nelson, and the Traveling Wilburys. She was also an avid KC baseball fan. As a young girl, she attended every home game of the old Kansas City Blues with her best friend, Phyllis. She never missed a Royals game—whether they were on a winning or losing streak.
Barbara was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for 65 years and most recently a member of Chapter JZ. She loved her P.E.O. sisters and felt the organization helped her become connected wherever she moved.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Paul (1979) and Pearl (1992). She is survived by her husband, Hubert; children Paula Neth (Paul Yanics), Leslie Neth (Allan Winkler), Rachel Cahow (Kent), and Laura Smith (Mike, deceased 2021); grandchildren Christine Sutherland, Heather Cahow, Hannah Mangan (Andrew), Emma Winkler (Joevenn Neo), Elijah Winkler (Haley Street); and two great-grandchildren, Arlo and Jasper.
A service for family and friends is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11 a.m., with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 2400 US-50 W, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to The Family Conservancy (www.thefamilyconservancy.org).
Condolences
Visitation
Lee's Summit, Mo. 64063
Services
Lee's Summit, MO 64063
My condolences to this remarkable family. Prayers for your comfort.
Sending our prayers and thoughts to the entire family. The Warrensburg community will never forget Mrs. Neth.
It is hard to loose a long time good friend. The Christmas cards she gave were gorgeous. I have one saved and it is a precious treasure. I have a memory of us in the church choir with our kids on the first pew throwing paper airplanes at us and of course it was just the threat that kept us nervous. It has brought smiles to me for many years.
It is very hard to loose a long time friend. I have so many memories. One is when we were both in the choir and our kids were on the front row pew throwing paper airplanes that never left their hands. This memory always makes me smile. I treasure the Christmas cards that she made me and will always remember her with great admiration and fondness.
Bill and I want to express our sympathy to Rev. Neth and his family. You always have been special to our family. We enjoyed Mrs. Neth’s paintings in various places around Lee’s Summit. Our prayers are with you. The Bill Eason Family
I am so sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. I’ve seen her
art work many times and enjoying visiting with you and
Barbara at Grace United Methodist Church
Sincerely Floy Jacobson
I am so sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. I’ve seen her
art work many times and enjoying visiting with you and
Barbara at Grace United Methodist Church
Floy Jacobson
Sending our love and condolences, Hubert. The Barkers and the Neth’s go back to Warrensburg. Barbara enjoyed weekly watercolor classes at our home in Overland Park. She will be missed.
Much love, Claudette & Jim
David and I are so sorry for your loss. Sending our deepest condolences and prayers for you all.
Pam and I send our prayers and friendship to Barbara’s family. Hubert married a very creative and loving lady. Heaven gained a precious church saint!
I’m so sorry, Hubert and Rachael, Leslie, Paula and Laura, to read about Barbara’s passing. When I think of her, I always see that watercolor of the poppies that hangs in the living room. The last time I was there, she talked about all of you. This is the time of year she was probably working on her Christmas cards—hers was always one of the ones I kept.
Ron and I are so sad for your loss. What a sweet and talented lady. May God give you peace and comfort with many beautiful memories to last a lifetime. We love the Neth family!
Please accept our condolences. We are so very sorry. We always enjoyed looking at all the beautiful displays of art. She was so very talented. Your family has always been a source of joy and inspiration to us. We wish you love and light through this difficult time.
Hubert and Family, Sorry for your loss but what a legacy she left. Her paintings, just her wonderful way. We who were here have never forgotten the wonderful days when you ministered the flock in Princeton. Know we still hold a special place in our hearts for you and yours. Alice
My deepest condolences to Hubert and family.
I have always felt like another Neth girls for many years and have my home filled with many of the paintings Barbara made for me and my Mother.
To the Neth family: I know you are saddened by this loss. Barbara is loved and respected by many and the memories she created throughout her life will continue to put smiles on our faces. I too have fond memories of Barbara and the Neth family from my early years. To me, Barbara was a loving and patient mother who welcomed me into their home. The only thing off limits was Rev Neth’s carton of ice cream. As luck would have it, Rev Neth was our pastor while we lived in Princeton, Mo. as young mothers, Barbara and my mother (Barbara) spent time together, which also meant their 4 children and the four of us were together often, whether we all piled into a station wagon to go to a movie or Sunday School and singing in the choir together. Leslie and I became very close friends and I cherish our friendship today. I look forward to many more visits. I pray that the pastor I can still visualize from my childhood finds peace with this unexpected loss. Barbara you will be truly missed. I am fortunate that you and your family are a part of my life.
So sorry for your loss Neth family. God got another Angel.
She was a very devoted woman who fiercely loved her family and pursued her passions. I’m grateful for her gift of Leslie Neth as a best friend. I send my love to all of you lamenting her departure from this world. God bless you all.
I am so sorry for your loss of your mom. I remember when your Dad was pastor at the Centerview Methodist church. We both had Shetland ponies. Funny story: once there was a pony loose in Centerview and we thought it was our pony. We finally after several attempts caught the pony and when we went to put the pony back in it’s pen, it was not my pony but your pony. LoL. I wish you fond memories of your Mom. She was a very special person. Hugs. Sherry Swope
Hubert, I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved wife Barbara. I’m sure Mom & Dad, Rev Robert E & Judith T Darby, would be remembering both of you in your time of grief. Hugs & Prayers for you & your family ❤️🙏.
Barbara was certainly an inspiration for many. I didn’t get to spend much time with her but I always was inspired by her artist abilities and her calming spirit. I will always hold in my heart as a person whom I was honored to be related to.
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Neth’s passing. My heartfelt sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with the Neth family.
Leslie, I would like to send my condolences to you and your family for the loss of your mother. After reading the obituary, written about your mother, it is easy to see where your passion for the visual arts came from. May the time spent with your loved ones, celebrating your mother’s life, be a great comfort to you.
I was very sorry to learn of Barbara’s sudden passing. I got to know her through Chapter JZ PEO. I wad an admirer of her artwork and also how much she helped the young woman who was a student at the University of Missouri who was an international student. My husband and I are praying for her husband and family for this sudden loss. We will miss her!
Please accept our sincere condolences. Barbara was a lovely person in every regard, and we know she will be missed by family and so many more friends. Surely know that we will hold you and Barbara close to our hearts in love and prayer.
Jerry and Sallie Ameling