Barbara Jean Wade

Barbara Jean (Rudd) Wade, born April 16, 1958, passed away on August 5, 2026.

Barbara was fun and she was spikey in the best way — just like her nickname, Barbwire. She had a spark that made her unforgettable. She loved music and was always dancing, whether it was a full twirl across the living room or a little shoulder‑shimmy when a song hit just right. She pulled jokes with perfect timing, carried joy like it was stitched into her, and spread laughter everywhere she went. Being around her felt lighter, brighter, and a whole lot more fun. She was beloved and will be deeply missed, and her absence from the community will be felt for generations.

Her favorite scripture, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,” fit her well, not because she forced a smile, but because she chose joy, kindness, and truth even on the tough days. She lived her faith boldly and shared the message of Jesus Christ with genuine excitement.

Barbara retired from Tyson and from cattle farming, but she never stopped believing in the value of honest work. To her, working hard wasn’t about proving anything — it was simply part of living a good life. She always said you do what needs to be done, and you do it, so you have enough to help others. That’s how she lived. She shared freely, gave without hesitation, and made sure people were cared for. Whether she was cooking for someone, offering encouragement, or quietly stepping in to make life easier, Barbara’s hands and heart were always open. Serving others was one of the strongest ways she lived out her faith.

She loved the land in a steady, sincere way, and she cared for it like a true conservationist. Sunlight, the changing seasons, and the quiet flow of the river were her places of peace. She respected the ground she worked and the farm she tended, believing in leaving things better than she found them. Being outdoors wasn’t just something she enjoyed — it was where she felt most connected to the world around her.

Barbara was married for 45 years to Roscoe Myron Wade Jr., her high‑school sweetheart. They grew up together, built a life side by side, and weathered every season with humor, loyalty, and a deep faith that carried them forward. They were fun together — the kind of couple who could laugh in the middle of hard times and find delight in the simple moments. Their marriage was steady, honest, and rooted in the kind of love that doesn’t fade.

Barbara was the proud mother of Amber Wingo and Adam Wade. Amber and her husband, Jason, gave her five grandchildren — Whitney, Zachary, Isaac, Clara, and Bruce — and Barbara welcomed their spouses, Alex, Yeni, and Arthur, as part of the family she cherished. Adam and his wife, Casey, added three more grandchildren: Alivia, Catey, and Burley. Barbara was also blessed with ten great‑grandchildren: Sofia, Gabriella, Ruben, Jonny, Heidi, Magnolia, Odin, Phoenix, Ryvonni, and Scarlett, all of whom she devoted her love and time to.

She shared a lifelong bond with her six sisters — Jonell, FranSue, Mary, Esther, Cindy, and Lorissa — women who shaped her strength, humor, and resilience throughout her life.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Billie Joe Rudd and Cynthia Novella Anne Carmical Rudd, her husband, Roscoe Myron Wade Jr., and her sister, Cynthia Carpenter.

Fly high our Butterfly.