Barbara Gaye Simpson died August 15, 2022, in Salem. Barbara was born June 2, 1937, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Orville and Alta (Brown) Bacon. Barbara moved to this area as a teenager and has lived here since. Barbara earned a bachelor's degree and worked for the State of Oregon for more than 20 years in the state's Vocational Rehabilitation Division.

Barbara was a member of the People's Church in Salem and she enjoyed making dolls, the Oregon coast and writing poems.

Barbara is survived by her life long friend and fiancé Jesse Kelly of Salem, her son Bobby Towery of Otis, Oregon and grandson Mitchell Towery of Lincoln City and great-grandchildren Enzlo Towery of McMinnville and Rinehart Towery of Lincoln City. Also surviving is her sister Janee Morris of Las Vegas and brothers Jerry Bacon of Salem, Ronny Bacon of Silverton, Donnie Bacon of Troutdale and Larry Bacon of Silverton.

Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 A.M. Monday: August 22 at Unger Funeral Chapel in Silverton. Interment will follow in Valley View Cemetery, Silverton.