Barbara Ann Ferris (nee Miller), age 83, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on April 21, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born on January 2, 1943, in Crossville, Tennessee, to Orion Columbus Miller, Sr. and Sallie Dodson Miller.

She was the third of six children, grew up in Crossville, and was the proud Valedictorian of Cumberland County High School in 1961. She dedicated her life to her family, learning, and self-actualization. She was known for her stubbornness, frugality, self-sufficiency, generosity and compassion. Barbara enjoyed gardening, yoga, reading and playing Canasta, but her greatest joy was witnessing the growth and joy in her grandsons.

Barbara is survived by her devoted children, Victoria and Joseph, and her daughter-in-law Jamie Edwards Ferris; her beloved grandchildren, Brian and Wiley; her sister, Josephine Miller Dulaney; and her treasured nephews and nieces, Thomas, Andrew, Katie, Alan, Gino, Gian Paolo, Ann, Meg, Sarah, Morgan, Barbara Jo, Joseph, and Amara. She was preceded in death by her husband, Brian Alfred Ferris of Fairlawn, New Jersey; her parents, Orion and Sallie Dodson Miller, and her siblings Richard, Martha, Margaret, and Orion Columbus Miller, Jr.

The family will hold a memorial service in Crossville this summer when Barbara will be laid to rest with her husband, parents, and siblings in the Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Grandview, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Women for Women International, or Reading is Fundamental.