Barbara Garber-Phillips

Barbara Garber-Phillips went home to be with her Lord on February 23, 2021 at the age 83 after battling a long illness. She would have turned 84 years old on April 28th. She was the beloved and devoted wife to Everette Phillips of over 30 years. She was the daughter of Harry Scheller and Naomi Scheller-Stem and step-daughter to Lorraine (Ike) Stem. 

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Garber-Kreimer of Hanover, PA, her son, Michael Garber of Westminster, and daughter-in-law Amy Garber of Westminster.  She is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Adam Kreimer, Taylor Garber, Lauren Foster, and Meghan Miller, and 2 great-grandchildren Ashlyn and Addison Foster.  She is survived by one brother Fred Scheller of Keymar and a step-brother Paul Wildisan of Westminster.

She was a lifelong member of Meadow Branch Church of the Brethren.  She could always be seen at their church pancake breakfasts either making the biscuits or scrambling the eggs.  She was very active in her church by singing in the church choir, being flower chairperson, serving on various boards, being a member of the women’s fellowship, being a quilter in the ladies quilting group, Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school teacher, and many other various duties.

After 45 years of child care, she retired as the longest licensed home day care operator in Maryland, after starting out as a foster mom.  She was known to her many children as either Miss Barb or Aunt Barb.  She received certificates on her retirement from then Governor Paris Glendening and Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff.  She was also a Channel 13 Hometown Hero Salute honoree, and was presented with the #13 pin by Bob Turk.

She decided to go back to work part time working at SERVE in New Windsor.  She worked there for approximately 5 years as a manager before suffering her first of four total strokes. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department.

She owned Barb’s Cake World for over 40 years and is well known for all of her cakes and other baked goods.  In the past she would make donuts for the Westminster City Police Department on donut day and in the Winter she would make homemade vegetable soup for the City employees plowing snow.  She even crocheted little blankets to give to children that the police would have to try and comfort during stressful times. 

She was a personal and close friend to Grand Ole Opry star Bill Anderson for over 50 years.  He loved her homemade sugar cookies and she would take them to every show for him and his band.  

She will be remembered by many former day care children, her church friends, her Bill Anderson family and her personal care taker, Valerie Rogers.  The family would like to thank Carroll Hospice for all of their care and support, especially nurses Chloe and Corrine. 

The family will receive friends for a viewing on Thursday, February 25, 2021 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, 91 Willis St., Westminster and on Friday, February 26th from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Meadow Branch Church of the Brethren.  Pastor Amy Bell will be officiating.  For those unable to attend services will be live-streamed at (https://www.facebook.com/MDFHWestminster).  Burial will be in the Meadow Branch Cemetery immediately following the service.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Meadow Branch Church of the Brethren, 818 Old Taneytown Rd. Westminster, MD 21158.