Barbara Christine Dexter, 81, of St. George, Kan., died Sunday, April 29, 2012, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.

Barbara was born on Nov. 28, 1930, in rural Wakefield, Kan., the daughter of John and Carolyn Kerner Thurlow.  She attended local schools and graduated in 1948 from Wakefield High School.  She then attended Brown Mackie College in Salina.

Barbara married Gail Dexter on March 18, 1951, in Wakefield. He survives at their home.

Barbara lived for four years in Hope, Ark. She worked for a time at Farm Bureau Insurance as a secretary and also as a tailor for Stevenson both in Manhattan. Church was an important part of Barbara’s life, and she was actively involved with Trinity Baptist, Emmanuel Baptist and Lighthouse Baptist churches. She was also a Sunday School Teacher and went on numerous mission trips.

Barbara is also survived by her daughter, Kathy Wright and her husband, Jim, Claremore, Okla.; her son, David Dexter and his wife, Micah, Hartford, Kan.; three grandchildren, Angelique Worthen, Emporia, Abigail Barnhill and her husband, Matt, Topeka and Dave Dexter, Emporia.

Funeral Services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 7, 2012, at Lighthouse Baptist Church in St. George, with Pastor Jim Lowry officiating.  Burial followed at St. George Cemetery.  The family greeted friends from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Campanella-Evans Mortuary in Wamego.  They suggest memorial contributions to the Barbara Dexter Memorial Fund and those may be sent in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellafuneral.com.