Obituary for Barbara J. McMurrin

Barbara J. McMurrin, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Wednesday December 8, 2021, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids after a brief illness.  Iowa Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Barbara Jean Schneider was born August 24, 1935, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Harold and Carol Schneider. Barb married Donald McMurrin in 1953. They had four children, Dennis, Debra, Linda and Kathryn.

Barb worked briefly for Collins Radio before deciding it was not for her. She found she loved to be a server. She worked as a server at several dinning establishments spending 35 years at the Vernon Inn where she gained a multitude of loyal customers. After retiring from serving, she found she could not be still. She currently worked full time as a Walmart Associate. 

She enjoyed cross word puzzles, yard sales, going to live performances (especially listening to Daddy-O ), and spending time with family.  Barb will be remembered for her knack for one liners and her sense of humor. She had a giant heart and never turned away a person or animal in need. She always had a house full. Many people are going to miss Grandma Barb.

Barb is survived by her brothers, Buck, Dan and Rodney, her sister’s, Jewel Dolley and Denise Griffin, her son, Dennis (Daddy-O) McMurrin, daughters, Debra Avis and Kathryn McMurrin and many grand- children and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by both parents, her husband, Donald, her brothers, Ron and Duane, her sisters, Kay and Gabrielle, her daughter, Linda Esparza, and her granddaughter, Chastity Avis.

In Lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to the family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Mercy Medical Center for the compassionate care they provided to Barb.