Barbara J. Valley McAllister

Barbara J. Valley McAllister, 68, passed away on Dec. 30, 2020, after a nearly three-year battle with cancer. Barb was born on May 11, 1952, in Webster City to Ivan and Bernice “Penny” Valley as the second of four children. The family later moved to Clarion, where she graduated from Clarion-Goldfield High School in 1970. She earned a degree in accounting from the University of Northern Iowa and embarked on a more than 20-year career with the federal government that led her to Dallas, Texas, in the 1980s. Barb became a devoted Texan, even incorporating “y’all” into her written correspondence back home to Iowa.

Barb was united in marriage to Sam A. McAllister on April 29, 1989, in Arlington, Texas. She retired from her job several years after having their son and daughter, and then became a fixture in her children’s schools as a faithful and friendly volunteer. Barb also was very involved in her church, Grace Presbyterian in Arlington. After Sam’s retirement, they traveled frequently and spent many summers at The YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, where Sam worked as a hiking guide and Barb enjoyed working with the housekeeping department.

Barb had a heart, a smile and a laugh as big as the skies of her adopted home state of Texas, and will be much missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband Sam of Arlington, Texas; her daughter Emily of Kerrville, Texas; her son James (Destini) of Groton, Connecticut; and her new granddaughter Riley Jane McAllister, whom Barb got to love on for several weeks before her passing. Others who miss Barb deeply are her mother Penny Valley of Altoona, Iowa; her brother David (Sallie) Valley of Bay City, Texas; her sisters, Amy (Ray) Sprague of Altoona, Iowa, and Virginia (Tim) Barker of Urbandale, Iowa; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who treasure their memories of their “Aunt Barbie.” She was preceded in death by her father, Ivan.

Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date, when it is safe for Barb’s family and friends to gather together. Memorials may be directed to The YMCA of the Rockies, Meals on Wheels, your local food bank or church. All of these organizations held a special place in Barb's heart.