Barbara Nell Alden, 78, of Bolivar, Missouri, passed away October 11, 2019. She was born February 12, 1941, in Paris, Texas, to Alvis and Johnnie Blanche (Fendley) Ballew.

She is survived by her children: Regina diGualco (Mitchell Oster), Angela diGualco (Eileen Rackus), and Guido Gualco; her sisters, Linda King and Sandra (Joe) Tiner; her nieces Jennifer (Joel) Emerson and Vicky (Albert) Torres and nephew Richard Davis.

Barb was raised by her grandmother, Nellie Ballew, and her aunt, Mildred Ballew, in California. She and her sisters loved going to the movies and flirting with sailors from the Naval Air Station at Alameda.

Barbara was a happy and loving person with a compassionate spirit and sassy attitude. She never failed to find humor in the most mundane moments of life and wisdom during its more difficult. She loved her family, animals, and taking care of people. She worked as a Certified Nursing Aide for most of her life and was a loving caregiver, passionate about working in service to others. During the tragic height of the epidemic during the 1980s, Barbara worked with AIDS patients. She spent many years working with the Developmentally Disabled.

Barbara enjoyed sewing. When her children were small, she made them clothes for school and their Halloween costumes. She loved gardening and grew both fruits and vegetables. She knew the names and characteristics of thousands of plants, and, on Facebook, friends would often asked her "what is this plant?" She was skilled at cake decorating and many other kinds of crafts.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services, Springfield, MO.