Dana Marie (Knabe) Barber, 57, of Floral, AR, entered the kingdom of Heaven on Friday, June 16, 2023. She was born on July 7, 1965, in Little Rock, AR, to Johnny and Laura Knabe. She served the Lord Jesus Christ by the way she lived her life and as a member at Hutchinson Mountain Church of Christ. Dana’s Christian faith was evident in her selfless nature and ever-present smile. She truly loved helping others and never had an unkind word to say. After graduating from Southside High School, she went on to earn her undergraduate degree in biology from Arkansas College and a master’s degree in education from Arkansas State University. For almost 30 years, Dana impacted the lives of students as a science teacher, first at Oil Trough and Concord High Schools before returning to her alma mater, Southside High School, for the majority of her career.
Dana enjoyed photography, reading, writing, painting, crafting, gardening, running, and bird watching. She combined several of these interests with her love for nature and commitment to Christ in her blog, “My Father’s World” (www.myfathersworld.online). In her posts, Dana spent hours reflecting on how she saw God in nature. She would share photos and scripture, in the hopes of inspiring everyone to take a moment to grasp the magnitude of God and his beautiful creation. Out of all of Dana’s hobbies and passions, her greatest joy came from living out her God-given role as a loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She especially cherished spending time with her adored grandchildren, who knew her as Mimi. She leaves behind a legacy of love, joy, dedication, selfless service, and faith. Dana will be dearly missed and forever loved by everyone who was blessed to have known her.
Dana is reunited in heaven with her grandson, Mark Barber; her father-in-law, Gerald Barber; and her mother-in-law, Adaline “Toni” Barber. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert Barber, of the home; her parents, Johnny and Laura Knabe, of Floral, AR; her sons, Steven Barber (Kristen) of Judsonia, AR and Eric Barber (Adriele) of Cabot, AR; her two treasured grandchildren, Clara Barber and Isaac Barber; her brothers, Chris Knabe (Michelle) of Batesville, AR and Glen Knabe (Wanda) of Searcy, AR; her beloved nieces and nephews, and a host of extended family members and friends.
Arrangements are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, AR. Services will be at North Heights Church of Christ in Batesville, AR, on Saturday, June 24, 2023. A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. with a memorial service beginning at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children’s Homes, Inc. of Paragould, AR (www.childrenshomes.org), and/or the Hutchinson Mountain Palestine Cemetery by mailing gifts to 100 Ramsey Drive, Floral, AR, 72534.
