Memorial
Barbara Lee Weers Weeks passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2015 after a long and wonderful life. She had just celebrated her 95th birthday the day before, surrounded by many family members and friends. She was born in Peoria, Illinois, on her father’s birthday. She was the first of three daughters born to Lealand and Edna Weers. Her father died in his early thirties, but her mother lived to be 95 years old. After Barbara graduated from Peoria High School, she attended MacMurray College for Women in Jacksonville, Ill. She went on to George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where she received her BA. Upon graduation, she married R. Ray Weeks who had been in French class in high school. Ray was in the Navy during the War, so they made their home in D.C. Barbara worked for the War Department in Personnel for the Office of the Chief of Army Chaplains until their son Paul was born. After VJ day, they moved to Madison, Wisconsin where Ray finished obtaining his Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Wisconsin. Then they moved to Cedar Rapids where son Peter and daughter Nancy were born. After living in Dallas, Texas and 27 years on Long Island's North Shore, they decided to retire in Cedar Rapids. They had loved living there because of their many friends, the cultural opportunities the area offers, and the excellent health care facilities.
Barbara's husband Ray, son Paul, sister Theodora, and American Field Service son Tariq Abbas preceded her in death. She is survived by her son Peter, his wife Michele, and daughter, Jennie of Lavallette, NJ; her daughter, Nancy Payne, her husband Bruce, of Kankakee, IL and their sons Cott (Jennifer), Tyler (Katina), Scott, Brian (Colleen), and Derek (Lauren); Paul's wife Pamela of Arlington, VA and their daughter Catherine (Geoff); and eleven great grandchildren. She is also survived by brother-in-law Gaylord E. Nichols of Pasadena, CA, sister Margaret Ann Raper (Charles) of Atlanta, GA, brother-in-law James M. Taylor of Monterrey, CA and many very special nieces and nephews.
Barbara was a member of Marvin Cone Art Club, Ladies Literary Club of Cedar Rapids, Monday League, Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, and the Cedar Rapids Country Club. Her volunteer activities were Rock and Read-2nd Grade at Erskine School, Docent 5 Turner Alley-Cedar Rapids museum of Art, past Board member of Friends of the CR Public Library, past Board member of Art in Public Places, past President of Cedar Rapids Symphony Guild, and most recently, a volunteer at the Community Health Free Clinic. Contributions may be made to any of these organizations in her name.
There will be a memorial service for Barbara in the Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA where she will be buried with her husband Ray and near their son Paul and Ray's parents, Paul and Inez Weeks. A celebration of life will be scheduled in November in Cedar Rapids, IA.