Barbara Ann Shwery

Reynolds Funeral Home announces with deepest sympathy the passing of Mrs. Barbara Ann Shwery,96, of Decatur, AL. Mrs. Shwery transitioned August 7, 2025, at her residence. A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Our family celebrates the life of Barbara Ann Shwery… A loving/faithful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, dancer, teacher, and sister in Christ. She passed away quietly at the age of 96 years old on a sunny day (noon on Thursday, August 7,2025) to join her husband in heaven. This gentle woman encouraged generation in her love toward others, dedication to church and family and faith in Jesus.

Barbara leaves behind a legacy of five children (Susan, Vicki, Robert, Margaret, and Mary),17 grandchildren, and 36 great grandchildren. She was preceded by her parents Geore and Ida, husband Richard, brother George, sister Mary, great grandchildren McKenzie and Caroline and extended family.

During her childhood in Keokuk, Iowa; Barbara found her first love…dance. She began dance classes at an early age; and, later studied with notable Edna McRae, the National academy of Ballet in New York City, the Dance Theatre of the Hemispheres in Cedar Rapids, and Ellis-DuBoulay Studio in Chicago. She took to the stage professionally by the age of 20 years old in several Broadway and Theatre-in-The-Round productions. Barbara also performed with the Lyric Opera Ballet Company and the Skokie Music Theatre in Skokie, Illinois. She married the lover her life, Richard Joseph Shwery, in 1950. Soon after marriage, she retired from the state to start the new adventure of growing their family by adding five children to their number. Missing her first love ‘dance” she opened a dance studio and taught ballet and character dance for about a decade to children and teens.

Barbara Ann Shwery was and is much loved for her gentle ways, admired for her quiet resolve and faith in Christ. Her heart was always concerned for others. She will be missed by us all still on this earth, but we know she is singing (and dancing) with the angels.

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