Barbara Karen Whitten, 64, of Evening Shade, Arkansas passed away peacefully on Friday, June 16, 2023, at her home surrounded by her children and husband. She was born on January 6, 1959, in Batesville, Arkansas to Thomas Jewell Qualls and Elizabeth Faith Kackley Qualls. She was a homemaker and caregiver and a member of the Liberty Full Gospel Church in Cave City. Barbara enjoyed fishing, floating, being outdoors, working in the garden and spending time with her family and friends. She was an animal lover and spent most of her life rescuing animals of all kinds with her favorite, unique, challenging, kind, exciting and memorable rescue being a goat. Barbara was a babysitter; she cared for many children throughout her lifetime, she was known as “Granny” to many of them. Some of them who are now adults still call her “Granny.” She had an infectious smile and a servant’s heart. She loved everyone and never met a stranger.
She is preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Joseph Kackley Thomas; a sister, Lavonda Lynn Muston; a nephew, Bruce Wayne Muston; and a niece, Maranda Estes Verser.
She is survived by her husband, Doyle Whitten of the home; four sons, Robert (Andi) Thomas of Ash Flat, Michael Thomas of Evening Shade, A.J. Garcia of Evening Shade and Greg Garcia of Evening Shade; four daughters, Amanda Thomas of Walnut Ridge, Rebecca Whitten of Zion, Jessica Garcia of Cave City and Linda (Blake) Headstream of Cave City; three sisters, Dianne (Randal) Moore of Evening Shade, Jimmy (Lenny) Rush of Batesville and Rebecca (Wayne) Long of Highland; one brother, Jeff (Karyn) Qualls of Evening Shade; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Liberty Full Gospel Church in Cave City.
Arrangements are by Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in honor of Barbara. To find out how to donate go to www.archildrens.org
