Barbara Ann Randle of Big Rapids, passed away Monday, January 26, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids. The daughter of J. Herbert and Ethel (Gray) Wilson, Barbara was born in Purcell, Oklahoma. She met D. Orville Randle while they were students at Oklahoma State University; they were married in 1953. The couple moved to Wisconsin where Orville taught and Barbara received her Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin Superior. In 1963 Orville accepted a position at Ferris State University and the family moved to Big Rapids. Barbara earned her court reporting degree and taught Business Communications at Ferris State University. Barbara had an unsurpassed commitment to the Big Rapids/Mecosta County Community. She unselfishly donated her time and talents to make her community a better place to live. Barbara was a charter member of the General Federation of Women's Club and was submitted as their 2006 Woman of Achievement Award. She was named the Mecosta County Woman of the Year in 1988 by the Business and Professional Women's Club. She had been a member of the Council for the Arts since 1982 as well as the Region 8 Arts Council and was named Distinguished Art Patron in 1993. Barbara served as a member of the Women's Historical Council and worked tirelessly to achieve recognition for Anna Howard Shaw. She was a member of the Big Rapids Zonta Club serving in several leadership capacities. She served for a term on the Big Rapids City Council as a City Commissioner. Barbara served 11 years on the Parks and Recreation Board and the Charter Revision Committee. While teaching at Ferris State University she was a member on several Ferris organizations, she established and maintained her own court reporting business and Barbara owned and operated the "Attic Trader" antique shop. Her love for fashion and clothing led Barbara to owning a distributorship of the "Doncaster" clothing line. Barbara was a dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church in Big Rapids. She will be forever remembered as a wonderful example of what women can do when they focus their time and energies on specific goals and objectives in service to the community. Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, D. Orville Randle of Big Rapids; three sons, John (Linda) Randle of Rodney, Scott Randle of East Lansing and Craig Randle of Grand Prairie, TX; five grandsons; Eric (Jessica) Randle, Wesley, Donny, Ben and Kyle Randle; two great-grandsons, Austin and Evan Randle, niece Gwendolyn Parks, nephew Daryl McDevitt and several great-nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, a sister Helen Stone and a brother, Warren Wilson, preceded Barbara in death. A memorial service will take place 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 30th at the First United Methodist Church in Big Rapids (304 Elm Street) with Pastor Bobby Dale Whitlock officiating. The family will receive friends at their home (602 Rust Ave., Big Rapids) on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions in Barbara's name may be given to the Big Rapids Community Library.