Barbara Geraldine Milligan passed from this life, on May 2, 2024, surrounded by her family.
She was born June 9, 1943, to Lois Turner Sapp Lewallen and Jewel Brown Turner.
Barbara graduated from White County High School, in 1961. On Aug. 26, 1961, she married the love of her life, Charles Milligan. Charles and Barbara had a model marriage and loved each other dearly for more than 49 years. Barbara worked a 40-year career with Mallory of Sparta until her retirement. She loved cooking, canning, and tending to her flowers. Barbara was loved by all that knew her and was known for her impeccable wit. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who got her greatest joy in life by providing for her family.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Loyd Lewallen; her mother-in-law and father in-law, Charlie and Grace Milligan; one brother in-law, Sammy Milligan; one son in-law, Billy Willhite; and many members of the Turner and Sapp families who meant the world to her.
Barbara is survived by her daughter, Sabra Willhite, of Sparta; her grandson, William Willhite (Jessica), of Cookeville; her granddaughter, Amy Mackenzie Woodruff (Steven), of Sparta; six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Allyson, Joshua, and Alex Woodruff of Sparta, and Liam and Luke Willhite, of Cookeville; one sister in-law, Janet Murden, of Cape Canaveral, Florida; and her aunts, Jean Wyatt, of Crossville, and Joice and Lena Jo, of Elyria, Ohio.
Funeral service was 1 p.m., May 6, 2024, at Hunter Funeral Home, with burial in Blue Spring Cemetery. William Willhite, Roy Whited, and John Knox officiated. Music was led by Steve Delmonte.
William Willhite, Doug Watts, Roy Whited, Steve Delmonte, Gary Young, and Chuck Bumbalough served as pallbearers.
Hunter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
