Barbara Gealy McCullough

Barbara Gealy McCullough of Vestavia Hills, died at home on Sunday, January 14, 2024 after a long illness. 

She was born Oct. 26, 1934, to the late Clarence Gealy Sr. and Mary Yeager Gealy Franklin, Pennsylvania.

Barbara always enjoyed sports as a young person and played basketball at Franklin High School, where she was also a cheerleader.

Sports was something she had in common with her husband, the late Jim McCullough, whom she married June 11, 1955. 

They moved to Vestavia Hills in 1979 for Jim’s job when he was named commissioner of the Gulf South Conference, and later became associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference They bought the first house in Countrywood subdivision and Barbara lived there until she died.

The couple were members of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. 

After raising her sons, Barbara started playing golf in her 60s, first at Chace Lake Country Club and later at Inverness Country Club. She was active in the ladies golf associations at both. She also had a standing bridge game with some of her fellow golfers.

Barbara also enjoyed antiquing and following the lives of her growing family, one of her favorite topics of conversation.

She is survived by her sons, Tab E. McCullough (Terry) of Lexington, South Carolina; Ted J. McCullough (Anne) of Vestavia Hills, Alabama; and Jody L McCullough (Bridget) of Madison, Wisconsin; her six grandchildren, Megan Keatley (Brandon), Katie McCullough, Mary Kathryn McCullough, Griffin McCullough, Kelly McCullough and Violet McCullough; and two great-grandchildren, Marlo and Claire Keatley.

Barbara was preceded in death by her sister, Marti Gealy; and brothers, Richard Gealy and Clarence “Bus” Gealy.

A visitation and reception will be held for Barbara from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29, at Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood. She will be taken home to Franklin, Pennsylvania, where a funeral will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home. Barbara will be buried next to her late husband, Jim, in Franklin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Lighthouse, a youth and family activity center at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Ave, Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35216.