Barbara Helen Sottile-Prueitt of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away of natural causes in the presence of family the afternoon of January 14, 2018. She was 78 years of age.

Retired in 2006, Barbara enjoyed her 11 years at Pattonville School District and 19 years at Special School District of St. Louis County in management and executive administrative roles. Her involvement as a sports coach and Girls Scouts of America leader influenced youth to be independent and confident adults. A founding member of CJ’s Journey, a non-profit in service to young adults struggling with cancer, and an avid supporter of the Special Education Foundation, the impact of her absence will be felt by many people and organizations.

Barbara’s appreciation for the good in life was reflected by her love of music, culinary arts, and trips to the beach with her family and lifelong friends.

Her husband, Tom Prueitt, preceded her in death, as did her parents Jasper and Geneva (Wiley) Sottile, mother-in-law Loretta (Parkinson) Beckham, stepdaughter-in-law Cindy (Nezzer) Prueitt, and loving grandson CJ Aubuchon.

She is survived by her children: Jeanine (Dennis) Aubuchon, Kathleen Beckham, Christine (Bob) Kilian, Rose (Allen) Callahan, and John (Rose) Beckham, Jr.; her stepchildren: Renee Prueitt, Grant Prueitt, and Carrie (Prueitt) Lynch; her grandchildren: Jeremiah, Jared, Tommy, Michelle, Laura, Justin, Kristina, Scotty, Michael, and Annette; her step-grandchildren: Amber, Tommy, Abigail, Emily, Patrick, Sean, Jason, and Amy; her great grandchildren: Ridley (née: Lucas) and Calum Jasper; her brother: Jasper (Mary Pat) Sottile; her former husband: John (Carol) Beckham, Sr.; and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

Those she has left behind will carry with them her everlasting wit and serious sense of style. She taught family and friends the meaning of hard work, respect, endurance and survival. Barbara imparted a deep appreciation of humor, no matter the situation, and the ability to laugh, no matter the strife.

Please join us in celebrating the life of this remarkable woman, who will be missed but never forgotten, on the afternoon of February 3, 2018 at Maryland Heights Community Center, 2300 McKelvey Road, Maryland Heights, Missouri, 63043 (314-738-2599) in the Millennium-A room. Memorial service at 12:00 p.m., with a celebration to follow. Memories, music, and laughter will be shared until 4:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Barbara’s charity of heart, CJ’s Journey at cjsjourney.org.