Barbara Anneaster (Holland) Frontauria, 1941-2026
With deep and personal sadness, we share that our mother, Barbara Anneaster Frontauria, has passed away. She left this world peacefully at home, surrounded by her daughters-exactly the way she wanted.
Barbara (known lovingly as Mom, Grandwa, Barb, Bob, and a handful of other nicknames collected over the years) was born on August 15, 1941, and passed peacefully on 09/11/26. Originally from Lafayette, Tennessee in Macon County, she spent most of her life in Nashville, TN and her final years in Paducah, Kentucky. She is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Frontauria; parents, Jesse and Ruby (York) Holland; her siblings, Juna Faye Hanna and James Holland; and her son-in-law Danny “Flapper” Burgess. She is survived by her daughters-Sonia Shelton of Columbia, TN; Stacey Burgess of Fountain Run, KY; and Jana Bell (Jeff Bell) of Paducah, KY-along with sisters and extended family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and dear friends who became family over the years (Gilberto, Mercedes, Christopher and Roger Rodriguez, and Darian Carroll).
Mom’s interests were wonderfully eclectic. She loved diving into new topics just to learn something fresh. She delighted in planting mystery seeds simply to see what might sprout. She nursed injured birds back to health, collected antiques and quirky treasures, and had a special talent for taming feral cats. Any stray animal that found its way to her door instantly won the lottery. If pets greet us in heaven, Mom will be welcomed by quite the furry parade. She adored a good Cracker Barrel breakfast-especially if it came with a strawberry mimosa. She loved her country, she loved the military, and above all else, she loved God.
Mom was many things to many lucky people: a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, wife, and friend. In every role, she carried her fierce independence, her determination, and her unmistakable sense of humor. No matter how you knew her, one truth was universal-she lived life entirely on her own terms. She was authentic, complex, and unapologetically herself. She loved to laugh, and life was never dull when she was nearby. Adventures had a way of finding her, and she kept that spark until the very end. “Ready to get this show on the road” and eager to “start her next chapter,” she looked forward to heaven with joy-especially the moment she would see Jesus and her beloved mother again.
As she wished, there will be no formal service. Instead, her final days were filled with visits, calls, texts, and heartfelt messages from the people she cherished. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped surround her with love and laughter as she made her transition. Interment at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville, TN.
In her memory, we invite you to donate to your local animal shelter, plant a handful of unidentified seeds just to see what grows, or enjoy a slow, comforting breakfast at Cracker Barrel. And please-order a strawberry mimosa. Mom would smile at that.
Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah are in charge of all arrangements.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com
