DEXTER, Mo. --Barbara Jean Forkum, 86, daughter of the late Burette Whitener and Pearl Mae "Bayran" Whitener was born Feb. 7, 1932 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. and departed this life Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 at the Crowley Ridge Nursing Home in Dexter, Mo.
Mrs. Forkum enjoyed watching children at her home for a living. She enjoyed reading her Bible and is of Baptist faith. She has always been a very good cook and loved to cook a big Sunday lunch for whoever showed up. Always put out a big veggie garden and it would last all summer. She also enjoyed her flower garden and was a hardworking lady, no matter what she was doing. If you were going to help her, you better plan on working hard.
On Oct. 29, 1977 she was united in marriage to Dayton Forkum in Dexter. He preceded her in death on Aug. 25, 1998.
Survivors include: two sons, Gary Huffman and wife, Lynn, of Bloomfield and Randy Huffman and wife, Robin, of Dexter; three daughters, Debbie Kirby and husband, Pat, Pam Huffman and Sonia Huffman, all of Dexter; one step-son, Larry Forkum of Malden; two sisters, Joyce Kiker of St. Louis and Dorothy Collier of St. Louis; many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a special friend, Sue Tippen
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two step-sons, Kenneth Forkum and Jim Forkum, two brothers, Tommy Whitener and Manuel Whitener, four sisters, Lois Kennison, Doris Schaeffer, Carolyn Rodawald and Audrey Duckett.
A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 at the Chalk Bluff Cemetery with Rev. Ken McAnulty officiating for all family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to UCAN at 2620 N. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 63901 or Stoddard County Children's Home at PO Box 164, Bloomfield, Mo. 63825.
Paid