Obituary of Barbara Ann Piper

Bedford Barbara Ann Piper, 78, of Bedford, died at 8:27 pm on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at I.U. Health Bloomington Hospital. Born December 4, 1932 in Bedford, she was the daughter of Edward and Louise Mason. She married Donald Piper from Needmore just before he was shipped off by the Army to Korea. Later they settled in Bedford as he taught at Bedford High School. Graduating from Bedford High School she studied operatic voice at Indiana University. As a teenager, she sang in a popular band for dances in Lawrence Co. and also with an Indiana University group in a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta at the Indiana State Fair. She was a member of the Baptist Church and sang in the choir, often as a soloist, for sixty years. Her emotional contralto soprano voice often brought tears to the audience. Mrs. Piper was well known as an excellent cook, often serving fabulous dishes to guests and church members. She and Don travelled to Colorado most summers where they enjoyed the mountain air and the beautiful scenery for tens of vacations. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Cagle of Avon, IN; granddaughters, Jessica and Amanda; one brother, Joe Mason of Balboa Island, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, March 30th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Rev. Dr. Kregg Burris officiating. Burial will follow in the Hilltop Cemetery in Avoca. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until the hour of service on Wednesday, March 30th at the Day & Carter Mortuary.