Barbara Acuff (nee Hughes), 82, a Lake Villa resident for the past 64 years, formerly of Tennessee, died Thursday, January 14, 2021, peacefully at home.

She was born July 26, 1938, in Knoxville, TN to Fred and Lela (nee Merritt) Hughes.  Barbara married the late James Acuff June 23, 1956, in Knox County, TN.

A mother extraordinaire, Barbara was very family oriented and met the highest goals a mom could achieve.  She excelled at sewing (especially children's Christmas clothes), and was well known for her Christmas biscuits and gravy.  Most of all, Barbara enjoyed taking her children and grandchildren to their various activities and spending time with her family.

She regularly attended church at Fox Lake Baptist Church and then Lakeland Baptist Church in Lake Villa.  Prior to retirement, Barbara worked in the kitchens of Grant Community and Grayslake High Schools.

Survivors include her children, Larry (Kim) Acuff of Spring Grove, Brenda (Jerry) Bergstrom of Antioch, and Janet (Bill) Szczesniak of Lindenhurst; grandsons, Jeremy, Brandon, and Tyler; granddaughters, Jennifer and Kathy (Andrew); great-granddaughters, Cyress and Astra; sisters, Diane Ball and Juanita White; and by nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Barbara was preceded in death by her brothers, Ronnie (Robin) and Charles Hughes.

Visitation Saturday, January 16, from 9-11 a.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals and Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake.  Private burial will follow in Grant Cemetery, Ingleside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Barbara's name to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org, appreciated.

Alzheimer's Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago IL 60601
Tel: 1-800-272-3900
Web: http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp