Barbara Sue Atteberry

Barbara Sue Atteberry, 92, of West Salem, Illinois passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

Barbara was born on January 14, 1934 at her Grandma Pankey’s house in Stonefort, Illinois to Welby and Eva (Pankey) Choate. She was born into a troupe of entertainers, “Choate’s Comedians”, who were widely known and performed on the tent show circuit for years. “Barbara Sue” was featured as their mascot and she loved the tent show, with her Daddy Welby as leading man, Uncle Billy as Toby Ticklebush and her grandparents, Arlie and Mae Choate running the show. She loved her history and would mention she took tap dancing lessons from Jimmie Reynolds, the same man who taught Rita Hayworth! She loved her history and it meant a lot to her. She grew up and attended school in Wayne City, Illinois and upon graduating, met a young man from Fairfield, Illinois named Doug Atteberry. They married on August 31, 1952 and spent many happy years together until his passing in 2018. They were very involved in the West Salem community and church, and counted many dear friends in the area,

Barbara was active in church, attending First Christian Church in West Salem for sixty-plus years. She gives her Grandma Mae Choate all the credit for taking her to church as a young girl and teaching her about Jesus and giving her a good strong Christian foundation. Her love of the Lord was prevalent in her life, by the many ways she cared for others. She prayed for her boys, took them to church, and encouraged others in her church and community. She enjoyed making homemade cards and blessed many with her beautiful cards and sweet sentiments over the years.

Left to cherish Barbara’s memory are her sons Phil (Susan) Atteberry, Mark (Marilyn) Atteberry and Scott (Dana) Atteberry; her beloved grandchildren Michelle (Jimmy), Douglas (Katie), Bobby (Maki), Ty (MaKenze) and Maia; great grandchildren Alyssa, Alexis, Griffin, Addie, Axl, and Della Jane (on the way); her sister, Judy (Jerry) Fields; cousins Welby, Cherita and LaMar; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Welby and Eva Choate; and her beloved husband Doug Atteberry.

Per Barbara’s wishes, she was laid to rest at a private family graveside service on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at the Moravian Cemetery in West Salem, Illinois.

Ingram Meridith Funeral Home of Albion, Illinois is honored to assist the family of Barbara Sue Atteberry with arrangements.