Barbara Ellen Shockley

Barbara Ellen Shockley, 83, loving mother and grandmother died peacefully on January 25, 2023. Barbara was born May 12, 1939 in Huntington, Indiana at her parent’s home. She was the only child of Oakly and Rozellen Dickey. In 1957, Barbara graduated from Huntington High School. Following high school graduation, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1960 and later completed her Master’s Degree in Education at Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne. After teaching elementary education for two years in Fort Wayne, Barbara continued her teaching career in Huntington at Tipton Street School and Riley School. She taught primarily first grade. Barbara loved children and enjoyed teaching. Following a break of several years, Barbara joined the teaching team of the First Presbyterian Church Preschool, first as an assistant teacher and then as the director/teacher. She served in that roll for over 30 years. Barbara married James L. Shockley on April 30, 1960, and they were married 62 years before his death on November 26, 2022. Their family eventually grew to include three daughters and one son, their spouses, and eight grandchildren. Barbara’s greatest love was her family. Nothing was more important to her than creating special memories especially around the holidays. She started preparing for Thanksgiving in early October. By the special day, the dessert table would include everyone’s favorite sweet. Barbara made sure that the family home was decorated for every holiday but especially Christmas. In December, her home would be filled with yuletide decorations many of which she had created including her ceramic nativity scene, homemade Christmas stockings for each family member, and her Christmas village. In addition to her own nativity scene, Barbara would often paint and glaze a nativity scene as a wedding gift for family friends. She would love to know that nativity scenes she had created continue to decorate fireplace mantels in our friends’ homes. Barbara enjoyed many hobbies including baking, knitting, crochet, sewing, needlepoint, and ceramics. She had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing. Barbara also enjoyed collecting antiques. In addition to teaching at the First Presbyterian Church, Barbara was also a life-long member, and served the church in many different leadership roles. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Psi Iota Xi. She is survived by her daughters Jennefer Pursifull, Jodine (Douglas) Staebler, Judy (Jeff) Schwartz, her son Jeff (Abby) Shockley, and her grandchildren Austin Pursifull, Carson (Jake) Pursifull, Samuel (Abigail) Staebler, Luke Staebler, Cooper Shockley, Grace Shockley, and Ella Schwartz. She was preceded in death by her husband James Lewis Shockley, her parents Joseph Oakly and Josephine Rozellen (Wright) Dickey, her grandson Barrett Pursifull, and her son-in-law Eugene Pursifull. Visitation will be from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm immediately following visitation. Services will be conducted by Pastor John Beehler of the First Presbyterian Church of Huntington. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Please sign the online guest book at www.baileylove.com. Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the family of Barbara Ellen Shockley.

Barbara Ellen Shockley

May 12, 1939 - January 25, 2023