Barbara Irvine Lipsey's Obituary
Barbara Irvine Lipsey left this earthly life and entered the presence of the Lord on April 10, 2026. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 25,1935, the only child of Ruth Bailey Irvine Koelz. Barbara grew up in the Mallory Heights Community where she attended Mallory Heights Elementary School. She was a 1953 honors graduate of the original Southside High School and attended Memphis State University where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Barbara married her high school sweetheart George Gartley Lipsey in 1954 and faithfully supported him in his personal and professional life until his death in 2012. Family was Barbara’s life. She, as a traditional 1950’s wife, mother, and homemaker, developed a strong work ethic and a passion for honesty, compassion, and generosity. She leaves a legacy of love and devotion for her family as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Dr. George Lipsey, her maternal grandparents Richard and Odessa Bailey, her mother and her stepfather Ruth and Albert Acree Koelz, and her daughter in law Joni Avery Lipsey. She is survived by three sons and one daughter: Steven (Abigail), Thomas (Amy), Richard (Sandy) and Nicole Lipsey Gustafson (Brooke): Eleven grandchildren loved and cherished by “Grandma Bobbye”: David (Nicole), Rebecca, Cynthia Lipsey Warren, Jonathan, Caleb, James (Megan), Brad (Whitney), Paige Lipsey Herring (Matt), Andrew (Gene Marie), Micah and Ella Gustafson; Nineteen precious great grandchildren: Leighton, Keeton, Lillian Lipsey; Will Lipsey, Austin, Autumn Warren; Fischer Lipsey (Mom Abbey); Kate, Nora, Jay, Reese Lipsey; Trent, Jones Lipsey; Reid, Lilly Grace, Mae, Hollis Herring; George, Ellie Lipsey.
Barbara was a lifelong Christian.
The family will receive relatives and friends at Memphis Memorial Park, Poplar Avenue on April 18, 2026 at 12:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Barbara’s Life at 1:00 pm. Interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. If you are inclined memorial gifts may be made to the Church Health Center or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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