Mary Barbara Sterling

Mary Barbara (Garber) Sterling, (88), went to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, December 30, 2019 at The Bluffs in Columbia, MO after a 26 year long battle with dementia. Mary was born in Excelsior, MO on August 10, 1931, the fifth child of Charles C, Sr, & Mary Gladys (Grant) Garber who preceded her in death.

Mary graduated from Tipton High School in May, 1951 and a month later on June 30, 1951 she married the love of her life Billy (Bill) R. Sterling in Tipton, MO, who preceded her in death on April 20, 2012, just prior to their 61st wedding anniversary.

Throughout her career, Mary held various positions including working for Proctor’s, the Bank of Latham, Fischer Manufacturing and City of Tipton. Active her entire life Mary enjoyed participating in any sport and was especially excited about shooting a “hole-in-one” on two occasions, one at Tipton Country Club and one in Mesa, AZ where they wintered for over 20 years. She also won a gold medal in the Arizona Senior Olympics in softball when in her 70’s.

Mary was active her entire life as a member of First Baptist Church of Tipton until health issues prevented attendance and then she remained active in church activities within her care facilities.

Preceding her in death were her four brothers: Tom Garber, Leonard Garber, Glenn Garber, Charles Garber, Jr and her sister, Florence Garber Bieri.

Mary is survived by their daughter, June (Jim) Nivens, Osage Beach; two grandchildren, David (Sara) Nivens, Columbia, Nana (Matthew) Prange, Bridgeton and five great-grandchildren, Owen Prange, Sterling Nivens, Audrey Nivens, Quintin Nivens and Olivia Prange. Also surviving are one brother-in-law, Mike (Donna) Sterling, California, two sisters-in-law, Jean Garber, Edwardsville, IL and Evelyn Garber, Sedalia and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 3, followed by the funeral at 11:00 at First Baptist Church in Tipton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Tipton, the Central Missouri Food Bank Buddy Pack Program or Hospice Compassus in Columbia. Arrangements are under the direction of Meisenheimer Funeral Home, Tipton.

Online condolences may be submitted at www.meisenheimerfuneralhome.com.

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