Barbara Jean Shoup

Barbara Jean Ballou Pelsue Shoup, 86, of Holden, Missouri, passed away on October 2, 2025. Barbara was born to Lilla, née McAllister, and "Buster" Ballou on June 30, 1939. She grew up in Barre, Vermont, where the family lived near her father's farm equipment business, the Marsh-Allen Company. She attended Spaulding High School. Barbara lived in Barre until after her first marriage and birth of her first child, and resided across Vermont in Burlington, Jericho, Essex, and Shelburne until the 1980s.
Four generations of her family were rooted in Vermont. Barbara's grandmother, Effie M. Ballou, started the famed Wayside Restaurant of Montpelier in 1918. Effie lived in the house up the hill from the restaurant, and Barbara remembered visiting before their sale in 1945. Whenever the family traveled back to Montpelier, they'd always visit Wayside Restaurant, as it is still in operation to present day.
In her early years, Barbara spent notable time with Frank and Pat Allen of Barre, who were special friends of the family. Frank worked for Barbara's father and Pat was Barbara's mother's best friend. Frank and Pat remained part of Barbara's and her children's, and even grandchildren's lives for many years.
Swimming was one of her loves. She was active in swimming and boating from an early age thanks to her time growing up on Lake Champlain. Camp Hochelaga in South Hero, Vermont, was a special place—Barbara often fondly recalled her memories there as a camper, and later as a swim instructor. The McAllister camp on Porter's Point (Lake Champlain) in Colchester held many memories from the 1940s until it was sold in 1974. Family from Florida and Georgia would come up to vacation on the lake, where gatherings of grandparents, cousins, and friends were common.
Barbara's seamstress skills were acquired early in life. Her mother initially taught her how to sew clothing, and in time, Barbara began to quilt. She loved sewing for her grandchildren, and her quilts were crafted with love. She also enjoyed sharing her passion for quilting with others and taught classes for many years. Barbara loved seeing others enjoy the arts and was supportive of those who created art of all kinds.
Barbara married Richard T. Pelsue, Jr., on May 14, 1960. Until their divorce in 1975, their years were spent across Chittenden County, Vermont. They had four children, Bonnie, Richard III, Jonathan, and Craig.
Barbara married Fred T. Shoup on August 30, 1978. Barbara moved with her three sons to join Fred's family of three children, Cynthia, Fred, Jr., and Freda. When Fred's job relocated in 1983, the family left Shelburne, Vermont for Newburgh, NY.
In 1993, Fred and Barbara left Newburgh, NY in their RV and traveled across the country, managing campgrounds along the way. In 1994, they settled in Lee's Summit, MO. Barbara spent almost 30 years ministering in the Kansas City area. After a few years in Lee's Summit, they built a house adjacent to Our Father's Farm near Holden, MO and lived there as part of the Harvest Home Refuge ministry team. Barbara enjoyed her years as part of "The Farm" community, and was surrounded by their prayers, in addition to her husband's, as she crossed over to heaven.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Fred T. Shoup of Holden, MO; her daughter, Bonnie Finn (Randy), St. Joseph, MN; her sons, Richard T. Pelsue, III (Trisha), Jonathan S. Pelsue, and Craig M. Pelsue (Danielle), all of New Windsor, NY; step-son Fred T. Shoup, Jr., Roanoke, VA; a nephew; eight grandchildren; and many spiritual children. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lilla McAllister Ballou; father J.M. "Buster" Ballou; brother, Ronald M. Ballou; stepdaughters Cynthia Shoup and Freda Richardson.
A memorial will be held on November 1, 2025, 10:30am, at Harvest Home Refuge in Holden, MO, followed by a potluck blessing.

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