Barbara L. Cunningham

Barbara Louise Cunningham (Bixler, Rhoades), 93, died peacefully at 1:18 a.m, Monday July 27, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO with family by her side. She was born at Mercy Hospital in Parsons, KS on March 14, 1933, to John Edward Rhoades and Mabel Louise Rhoades (Hill).

She loved her family more than life itself. She was our rock, our strength, our cheerleader, our supporter, and was always proud of us. Our family is very close-knit because of her abundant, nurturing love. She taught us to be kind, stand strong, find beauty and love in the world, rise above any obstacle, believe in ourselves no matter what, and to make the world and ourselves better. She was a member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church for 74 years, modeling the teachings of Jesus through kindness, faith, love, joy, hard work, generosity, acceptance, patience, and being one's best. Her beautiful, kind spirit loved and helped anyone in need as she worked to make the world better every day. She was cherished and loved immensely by many and was known as Mom to all the neighborhood kids, always welcoming them into our home, feeding, loving, and giving them shelter, and comfort. Many of her community children kept in touch with her as adults and expressed their gratitude for the love, support, and guidance she freely gave them. Knowing and sharing days with her has been a great pleasure and honor.

She attended Washington Elementary School and Parsons Junior High School, graduating from Parsons High School in 1951. She was active in many high school clubs and participated in the drum corps. While in high school she won a VFW auxiliary essay contest for students from the ninth through twelfth grades on the subject, “Peace With Honor For America”. Her essay on peace exemplified how she lived her life, reflecting her deep core values, daily actions, and quiet grace. She worked for AT&T as a telephone operator before marrying Howard Clinton Bixler in 1954, moving to California in 1957 where she opened and co-owned Dutch Boy Maintenance Co. with Howard Bixler (deceased 1972). She returned to Parsons and began working at Parsons State Hospital and Training Center as a Licensed Mental Health Technician, retiring in 1993. She attained an associate’s degree in psychology from Labette Community College while working at PSH&TC.

She was an avid reader, with a library of books that stretched across the entire wall of her living room from ceiling to floor. She instilled a love of reading and learning to all her family. The last book she read from cover to cover was by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan; Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, published on June 23, 2026, by Simon & Schuster. As a passionate democrat, she stayed educated on political, societal, and world issues and served as the democratic committee woman for her precinct and was a dedicated election board worker. She held the office of Treasurer for the Labette County Democrats for many years and was honored by them for her long-standing dedication and endless support.

In retirement she worked for the Labette County Health Department helping to meet the needs of mothers with young children and worked diligently for the betterment of our community. She volunteered for many community organizations, including St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Iron Horse Museum, and collected clothing and food donations for the community. She was a devoted supporter of the Special Olympics and was the treasurer of the Labette County Genealogy Society. She donated her time and money to many charities including the Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Sierra Club, the Arbor Day Foundation, St. Judes, St. Joseph's Indian School, American Legion, Nature Conservancy, Boys Town, The Guardian, World Wildlife Fund, Unity, Audubon, ACLU and the VFW.

All who knew her experienced great joy, love, and a deep sense of loss upon her passing. Her kind, generous and loving spirit will continue to be felt by all who have known and loved her. They find comfort in knowing that she will be reunited with her dearly loved family and friends who journeyed from Earth before her. She is survived by her son, Mark Bixler (Patti) of Lawrence, KS; daughter, Dr. Kathleen Lewis (Raymond) of Parsons, KS, daughter-in-law, Diane Bixler of Parsons, KS; four grandchildren, Matthew Headley of Kansas City, MO, Clinton Paul Headley of Lawrence, KS, John Bixler, and Diane Bixler both of Parsons, KS; four great-grandchildren, Mariah Jones (Cami) of Belton, MO, Isiah Headley (Kaneesha) of Lawrence, KS, Ajereean Headley of Kansas City, MO; and Gabby Jones of Dallas, TX; four great-great grandchildren, Javione Johnson of Belton, MO, King Headley, Lyric Headley, and Kobe Headley, all of Lawrence, KS.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Rhoades; mother, Mabel Rhoades; sister, Brenda (Rhoades) Houska; brother, Kenneth Rhoades; husband, Howard Bixler; daughter, Toni (Bixler) Headley; son, John Bixler and three grandchildren, Albert Bixler, Wesley Bixler, and Keshia Davis.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Parsons. Burial will follow at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Area Community Foundation. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.