Barbara Vickery

Barbara Vickery, age 88, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital. She was born May 27, 1938, to the late Herbert Hearne and Willie Iris McCracken. Barbara was a 1956 graduate of Messick High School and enjoyed a successful career as a legal secretary with FedEx, where she worked until her retirement in 1994. She was a faithful member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Oakland, Tennessee.

Barbara was a one-of-a-kind lady who will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, feisty personality, and strong will. She had a love for fashion and jewelry and never passed up an opportunity to shop. She was also an avid collector of cookie jars and enjoyed expressing her creativity through knitting, crocheting, and making decoupage purses. Barbara had a generous and giving heart, was especially proud of her Scotch-Irish heritage, and had a particular fondness for lemon cakes. Her personality, wit, and many special interests made her truly unforgettable. She was one classy lady.

Barbara leaves behind four nieces, Donna Blizzard of Arlington, Rhonda Lunsford (Bob) of Oakland, Elizabeth Pruitt (Gene) of Marion, North Carolina, and Leslye Sapp (Bill) of Tomball, Texas; and one nephew, David Perkins of Oakland. She also leaves her great-nieces and great-nephews, Laura, Michael, Bobby, Daniel, Matthew, Melissa, James, Katie, and William, along with a host of great-great-nieces, nephews, and a great-great-great niece and nephew. Barbara's beloved Yorkshire terrier, Toby, will also miss her dearly.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husbands, Bill Burgett and Carl Vickery; her sister, Catherine Perkins; her brother, James Hearne; her niece, Christy Hearne; her great-nephew, Philip Blizzard; and her nephew in law, Randy Blizzard. She was also preceded in death by her beloved Pomeranian, Bear.

Graveside services will be private.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of her sister, Catherine Perkins.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Burgett, Jr., Michael Blizzard, Mark Hensley, Will Godbold, David Perkins, Bobby Lunsford, Daniel Lunsford, Matthew Lunsford, James Pruitt, and William Perkins.