Family, Friends Glad Body Of Missing Charlotte Woman Found

The family members of a woman whose body was found nearly a week after she disappeared said they are grateful for the closure that rescue crews have given them.

Joyce Hunter said words can't express her gratitude for the massive community effort that went into finding her mother.

"I know (searchers) did everything they could do, and I thank them. I thank them," Hunter said.

For six days, police, firefighters, family and strangers searched from the ground and the air for 61-year-old Barbara Springs. On Tuesday afternoon, Charlotte firefighters found Springs' body in Irwin Creek near Arrowood Road and South Tryon Street -- about seven miles from Springs’ west Charlotte home.

Firefighters searched that same creek by boat last week, but they were miles upstream.

“I just thank God that -- it was a blessing to even be able to find her," Hunter said.

While family and friends may never know why or how Springs got to the creek. They said they'll now focus on their memories of her.

"(She was a) very loving, bubbly person, very caring, especially with children. She drove a bus for a number of years," said the Rev. Mack McRae of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

"She was like mom to everybody. She's a very special person in my life, and I'm pretty sure she's a very special person in everybody else's life," Hunter said.

Police do not suspect Springs was the victim of any crime. The medical examiner will determine how she died.

Springs' church of more than 20 years will honor her Wednesday night at a special vigil. It will be at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Pineville at 7 p.m.

Previous Stories: November 17, 2009: Body Of Missing Woman Found In West Charlotte November 13, 2009: Dozens Of Searchers Look For Missing Charlotte Woman November 12, 2009: Officers Scour Neighborhood For Retired School Bus Driver