Barbara Cannon Weaver, age 87, of Jefferson City, Mo. passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by her family. Barbara was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on April 30, 1937, to the late Chester M. and Matilda E. (Grisley) Cannon. Almost 65 years ago, on August 1, 1959, Barbara was united in marriage to C. Joseph Weaver, Jr., who survives at their home. Barbara was a graduate of East St. Louis Senior High School, and she earned a B.A. from Millikin University in 1959 where she was also a member of Delta Delta Delta women’s fraternity.
Barbara was an Illinois Public Aid Department case worker for one year, and then taught for one year in the Cahokia Illinois School District before staying home to raise the family. She resumed her teaching career in the Jefferson City Public Schools in August 1969 at Simonsen Junior High School. After teaching eighth grade English, acting as yearbook sponsor, and heading the English Department, Barbara continued her education so she could be the school librarian at Simonsen. She later became the first librarian at Lewis & Clark Middle School until her retirement in 1998 after 29 years with the Jefferson City Public Schools.
In her retirement, she also devoted more time to work at the Samaritan Center, where she served for 20 years as an intake volunteer, and at Wesley United Methodist Church where she organized the church library and formed a Sunday morning book club. Throughout her life she participated in many service, professional, social, and religious organizations including Delta Delta Delta woman’s fraternity alumna, Cole County Retired Teachers Association, the Missouri State Teachers Association, and the United Methodist Women. Barbara also served as local past president of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators and PEO Chapter BW.
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