Barbara C. McAlpin's Obituary
Barbara Cantrell McAlpin, 80, of Memphis, TN passed away peacefully July 18, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was born August 14, 1937 in Ann Arbor, MI to Thelma and Guy Cantrell. Barbara grew up in Germantown and spent many childhood summers with family at Torch Lake, MI. She attended Germantown Elementary and graduated from Central High School. She attended Monticello College in Godfrey IL where she participated in several beauty pageants and was the recipient of many awards. After college she married Charles T. Schaffler and they had 6 children. Her second marriage of 40 years was to Jim McAlpin who had 5 children from his previous marriage. Barbara and Jim began a tradition over 35 years ago of gathering both families at Wall Doxey State Park for an annual Thanksgiving weekend. This event was eagerly anticipated by all and many happy memories were made over the years. One of Barbara’s greatest assets was the kindness she always showed to others, and was a reflection of her deep faith in God. Her family was her greatest joy and she had a remarkable and unique way of sharing not only her love, but her love of God, with family and friends. Her smile lit up a room and she will always be remembered for how special she made people feel. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, and her daughter, Kelly Ann Schaffler. She is survived by her husband, Jim McAlpin; her children, Bitsy Quinn (Danny), Shawn Demos (Chris), Chuck Schaffler, Jack Schaffler, all of Memphis, and Mimi Foster, of Chickasaw, Alabama. She leaves seven grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as “Boo”: Patrick Quinn, Brian Quinn (Millie); Emily Morton (Jesse); Ben Powell, Elisha Pate, Gracey Foster and Joshua Foster, and 3 great-grandchildren. She also leaves her brother, William A. Cantrell (Cyndy) of Kerrville, TX., and many beloved neices and nephews. She is also survived by her husband’s children: Jim McAlpin, Jr., Debra Walker, David McAlpin, Janna Dickerson and Rene Girven and 6 step-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses of St. Francis Hospital (both Park Avenue and Bartlett) , as well as the Crossroads Hospice team, and to D’Lynne Culvert, caregiver. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 1:30 at Memorial Park Funeral Home with memorial service and burial to follow. The family requests memorials be made to the Kelly Schaffler Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Agnes Academy.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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