Barbara Beth Thatcher, 76, of Blue Springs, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, at her home. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, Mo. A Service of Remembrance, a celebration of her life, is planned for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at the East Independence Community of Christ Church, 823 Elizabeth St., Independence, MO 64056. Committal services will be private. Barbara was born July 17, 1934, in Omaha, Neb., the daughter of Verda and Stele Bryant. Barbara Bryant and her family moved in Independence in 1944. She graduated from William Chrisman H.S. in 1952 and in 1953 married David Lynn Thatcher. Barbara and her husband of 57 years were active members of the East Independence Community of Christ congregation. She was an accomplished pianist, organist, composer, author and seamstress. She spent hours making jewelry and creating one-of-kind crafts in needlepoint, macrame, cross-stitch and crochet. Barbara worked at the Community of Christ Auditorium for over 10 years and was awarded Employee of the Year in 1980. She enjoyed playing the piano for several on-stage musical productions for the Olive Branch Players, Fort Osage High School, Grain Valley High School, and for the Independence and Blue Springs City Theaters. Barbara served as Secretary of the Kansas City Early Ford V-8 Club of America and assisted Dave in publishing the monthly newsletter. Barbara was preceded in death by her father Stele Bryant in 1986 and her beloved Maltese, "Muffin." She is survived by her husband, David Lynn Thatcher, of the home; mother, Verda Bryant, Independence; brother, Blair Bryant and wife Ruth, Baltimore, Md.; daughter, Susan Murray and husband Chuck, Lee's Summit, Mo.; sons, Phillip Thatcher and wife Barb, Independence, and Mark Thatcher and wife Gwen, Blue Springs; grandchildren, Eric Murray and wife Liz, Blue Springs, Shelly Carpenter and husband Matt, Leawood, Kan., Jared Thatcher, Green Bay, Wis., Beth Allgeyer and husband Dan, Springfield, Mo., Justin Thatcher, Blue Springs, and Jorden Thatcher, Blue Springs; great- grandchildren, Jacob Carpenter, Annie Allgeyer, and David Carpenter and numerous nephews and nieces. Arr.: Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO 64055 (816) 373-3600. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.speakschapel.com. Speaks Suburban Funeral Home, 18020 E 39th St, Independence, MO 64051, 816-373-3600 Published in Kansas City Star on December 3, 2010