Barbara Lea Harrison

Barbara Lea Gregory Harrison, age 92, of Belleville, Ill., passed away August 8, 2026 in Belleville. Barbara was born June 9, 1934 in Dalton, Ark. on the Lorsbach family farm to Cloral and Anna (nee Lorsbach) Gregory.

She graduated from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis and Miss Hickey's Training School for Secretaries in St. Louis. She was an avid reader, loved crossword challenges, playing cards, was active in leadership with PTA, Girl and Boy Scouts, community stage plays/musicals, recitals, numerous athletic teams her children and grandchildren were on - be it rain or shine (she was a real trooper), Band Parents, choral groups at church, school and more. She was a creative and awesome cook and baker – especially for special occasions and events. Her flower gardens have always been home to the many birds and butterflies she dearly treasured, especially hummingbirds and cardinals. She loved attending athletic events her children and grandchildren were involved in and most recently has become a huge Indiana Fever fan, especially Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark!

She was a dedicated pastor’s wife of many United Church of Christ congregations throughout Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, and St. Louis. Barbara loved her family, her church families and church organizations (Women's Guild, Choir, and others) where she served at the various congregations over the years. She maintained lifelong friendships from school, work, church communities, and neighbors.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her grandparents James and Claudia (nee Boling), Gregory and William and Barbara (nee Woefel) Lorsbach; and her sister Joyce Anne Gregory.

She is survived by her children Cheryll (James) Hall of Jacksonville, Fla., Stephen Harrison of Belleville, Ill., Cynthia Lawrence (Albert Eschmann) of St. Louis, and Cathryn (Vernon, Jr.) Hamm of O’Fallon, Ill.; grandchildren Stephanie Hall, Timothy Hall, Ashley (Matthew) Fehr, Phillip (Kimberly) Harrison, Melissa (Joseph) Walker, Rebecca Lawrence, Lauren (Blake) Heischmidt, and Emilee Hamm; great-grandchildren Cole and Evan Harrison, Emilia Fehr, and Jameson and Irelynn Walker; dear friend Norman Robinett, and former spouse Rev. Marion C. Harrison, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to one of the following (envelopes will be provided at the church on Thursday):

O’Fallon United Church of Christ Music Ministry, by mail to 206 W Adams St. O’Fallon, IL 62269; 

WashU Medicine ALS Research Support Fund, WashU Medical Advancement, by mail to MSC 1082-414-2555, 7425 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105-2161. Make your check payable to ‘WashU Medicine.’ Note ALS Center in the memo or online at https://alscenter.wustl.edu/donate/; 

or Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, by mail to MSC 1082-414-2555, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-9989 or online at https://giving.washu.edu/opportunities/hope-center-for-neurological-disorders/ . 

Online guestbook is available at www.wfh-ofallon.com.

The family will receive friends 9:30 – 11:00 am, Thursday, August 13, 2026 at O’Fallon United Church of Christ, 206 W. Adams St., O’Fallon, Ill. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 am, with Rev. Dr. Martha Thierheimer, officiating. She will be laid to rest in a private service at Sunset Memorial Park, Affton, Mo. Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, Ill., is serving the family.