Barbara Jean Wallen Cress, 87, of Berea, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday evening, April 6, 2024. She was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a beloved member of New Hope Holiness Church and will be greatly missed. Barbara was born January 27, 1937, in Oxford, Ohio, to the late Andrew and Mae Conklin Wallen. She was retired from Dresser Industries of Berea. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Cress, with whom she enjoyed 58 years of marriage; two brothers, Joseph Wallen and Virgil Wallen; and six sisters, Roseanna Evans, Isabella Bettelon, Nora Mae Colgate, Dorothy Sayers, Mary Bowling, and Dona Hisle.

Barbara delighted in serving the Lord, and she loved her family dearly. She is survived by her three sons and their wives, Allen and Effie Cress, Randy and Jackie Cress, and Gregory and Teresa Cress, all of Berea; six grandchildren, Ricky Cress, Duane (Katy) Cress, Heather (Billy) Gadd, Josh (Monica) Cress, Rachel (Daniel) Ballard, and Lynnsee (Trevor) Bing; ten great-grandchildren, Claire Cress, Anna Kate Cress, Hailee Gadd, Andrew Gadd, Jordan Cress, Emmy Cress, Sophia Ballard, Otis Ballard, Molly Ballard, and Roselynn Ballard; a host of nieces and nephews; and many special friends including Luther and Alma Akers and Frank and Irene Prickett.

Funeral services will be held at New Hope Holiness Church on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Brothers Luther Akers, Randy Cress, Ricky Cress, and Gregory Cress officiating. Burial will be at Madison County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Daniel Ballard, Trevor Bing, Duane Cress, Jordan Cress, Andrew Gadd, and Billy Gadd. Honorary pallbearers are Sharie Campbell, Jack Clontz, Barbara Doan, Kathy Cress Frederickson, and Carolyn Young.