Barbara A. Shultz, 94, of the Villages, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family February 7, 2026. She was born to Phoebe and Frank Payne in 1931 in Detroit, Michigan. She met Ralph F. Shultz (the love of her life & husband) while she worked at Fisher Body. For almost 70 years, they danced through life together.

Barbara loved being “Mom” to her three children, Pamela Warwashana (Marcus), Michael Shultz (Wendy), and Steven Shultz (Germaine). She was “Grandma Barbara” to 7 grandchildren: Christopher Leonard, Carrie McKinley, Jennifer Bergman (Nicholas), Andrew Shultz, Timothy Shultz (Laura), Joseph Shultz (Megan) and Kristina Shultz. She was also “Great Gramdma” to: Trevor McKinley, Jeremy Bergman, Eliana Bergman, Haley Bergman and Ellie Shultz.

As a child in Detroit, she liked swimming, ice skating, and playing games. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1948 and was a sister in the Chi Kappa Chi sorority. In addition to her career as a housewife, she also worked at Fisher Body after high school and as a dental assistant later in life. She enjoyed expressing her creativity through activities like ceramics and flower arranging. She loved being with friends and family. She and Ralph liked to entertain, dance and travel. They were involved in many clubs and charity organizations. They loved The Villages lifestyle and made many neighborhood friends. Hope Lutheran Church was her church home. Barbara was loved and cherished by everyone who knew her.

A memorial service will be at Hope Lutheran Church in The Villages on March 6th at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any contributions be sent to The American Heart Association www.heart.org.