Barbara Schaeffer's Obituary
Barbara Ann Teves Schaeffer passed peacefully in her home in Gonzales, Louisiana on Sept 14, 2024. Barbara was born May 12, 1936 in Newport, Rhode Island, to Frank and Irene Teves.
She graduated from Rogers High School and joined the United States Army. She was stationed at the dental clinic at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. During her service she met her future husband of 54 years, Franz Schaeffer. When she finished her service, the couple married and then welcomed their daughter, Teri. The young family was deployed to Nuremberg, Germany where their son Karl was born. The family was then deployed to Fort Polk (now Johnson), Louisiana. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Barbara attended McNeese State University, earning a BA in education, then a master’s degree as well as a specialist’s degree. She taught 4th grade at Pine Wood Elementary and then worked for the Beauregard Parish School Board in pupil appraisal.
In 1983 she opened Author’s Alley, a book and teacher supply store. It was a wonderful cultural addition to the community that served readers and teachers from Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. As a store owner she traveled to book shows and met many authors. She was happiest when she could share her love of reading with her family, students, and community. She enjoyed introducing young people to books, especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Barbara was honored as the Women’s League of DeRidder’s 2002 Mardi Gras Queen. She was a member of the Louisiana Women’s Veterans, Retired Teachers of Louisiana and Delta Kappa Gamma. Barbara loved to travel and took numerous excursions on cruise ships around the world. And above all else, she loved her family.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Irene Teves and husband Franz Schaeffer.
She is survived by her sister Darlene (Bill) Gammon of Jamestown, Rhode Island; children, Teri (Rick) Meador of Prairieville, LA, and Karl (Nancy) Schaeffer of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Philip Schaeffer of North Hollywood, CA, Grace (Stephen) Hinton of Cypress, TX, James (Kaitie) Meador of Austin, TX, Anthony (Julie Birnstein) Schaeffer of Affton, MO, Jeremy (Katelyn Garrett-) Meador of Lafayette, LA; and 7 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html.
Visitation for Barbara will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Wednesday September 18, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church in DeRidder with Father Wayne LeBleu officiating with military honors to follow. Burial will take place at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville at a later date. Services under the care and direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana.
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