Evelyn Leola Barber, 78 of Creswell, OR passed away April 19, 2017 of Alzheimer’s.

She was born Dec. 25, 1938 in Portland, OR to Henry and Josephine (Yoder) Wallace.

After high school, she attended college for a short time. 

On Jan. 19, 1957 in Yoder, OR, she and Albert R. Barber were married. He preceded her in death in 2014.

She worked for Cottage Grove Schools driving school bus for over 25 years.

Evelyn enjoyed riding horses and was a barrel racing/pole bending champion in the State of Oregon and around the Northwest. She also traveled the senior pro rodeo circuit, was a member of multiple riding clubs and Secretary for the Cottage Grove Rodeo for many years. Evelyn loved spending time with her family and was especially fond of a little friendly competition with outside games (from softball to bocce ball), board games and puzzles.

She is survived by daughter Debra (Roger) Healy, Mesa, AZ; daughter Terri (James B) Leach IV, Roseburg, OR; daughter Kathy (Ron) Ward, Cottage Grove, OR; daughter Penny (Colby) Willis, Colbert, WA; daughter Patsy (David) Hayes, Cottage Grove, OR; brother Joseph Wallace, Long Creek, OR; sister Jewel Wallace, Yoder, OR; sister Dorothy Vasquez, Molalla, OR; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 13 from 2-5 p.m. at the Village Green Resort in Cottage Grove. Memorial contributions to the Evelyn Barber Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team at act.alz.org or checks payable to Alzheimer’s. Arrangement in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel, Cottage Grove.