Barbara J. (Orr) Sosebee, 86, of Albert Lea went to be with her Lord on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community.

Barbara was born Feb. 11, 1933, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and she lived in Illinois before moving to Albert Lea in 2002. She accepted Jesus as her personal Savior on April 1956, at First Baptist Church in Lake Geneva. She attended and was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church in Albert Lea and was a member of the Illinois and Indiana Baptist Lay Renewal teams.

Barbara was retired from state and country civil service and the American Cancer Society, all in Illinois. She also attended the College of Lake County in Illinois and LaSalle College in Illinois. Barbara was previously named as an Illinois State Employee of the Year and American Business Woman of the Year. She was an active volunteer prior to moving to Albert Lea with the Senior Center and Hospice programs.

Barbara is survived by two sons, Thomas W. Sosebee Jr. of Albert Lea and Tracy W. (Pamela) Sosebee of Rossville, Georgia; daughter-in-love, Sherry (Tim) Sosebee, of Albert Lea; six grandchildren, Thomas W. Sosebee III and Troy Sosebee of Germany, Timothy Sosebee Jr., Jennifer (Vince) Guerra of Rochester and Jessica (Aaron) Rame of Bricelyn, and Joshua Sosebee of Rossville; four great-grandchildren, Alexis Rame of Bricelyn and Jermaine, Ayleen and Amy-Lee Sosebee of Contwig, Germany; one brother-in law, Vaughn Ableman, of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law Mary Orr of Huntington Station, New York, and Linda Orr of Florida; and nieces, nephews and goddaughter, Elizabeth Bloomfield Wiggins, of Hammond, Indiana.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas W. Sosebee Sr., in 2015; their son, Timothy W. Sosebee, in 2008; her parents Howard J. Orr in 1978 and Ruth Lawrence Orr in 1972; brothers James Orr in 2000, Robert Orr in 2000 and Thomas Orr in 2003; and sisters Ruth Ann Zeigler in 2002 and Judith Ableman in 2017.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, 1415 Highway 12 North in Albert Lea, or one hour prior to services at Faith Baptist Church, 905 Fairlane Terrace in Alert Lea, where funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Riley Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to MARBC Bass Kale Camp, 39725 225th St., Winnebago, MN 56098; Faith Baptist Church in Albert Lea or a foundation of the donor’s choice.

Mourn not too long that she is gone, but rejoice that she was and is now in the Lord’s presence for eternity.