Barbara Jean Huff Burk passed peacefully in her own bed on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, at age 83.
She was preceded in death by parents, Opal (Cruson) and Robert Huff; brothers, Bobby, Larry, Mickey (Anita); and son, Dane Burk. She is survived by daughters, April Clark and Angela Smith; daughter-in-law, Loyda Silva; siblings, Lonnie Huff, Patty Street, Debi Word, and Pam Huff, as well as seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Born in Roubidoux, Mo., on Jan. 4, 1941, Barbara spent most of her life in small towns in the foothills of the Ozarks. Later, she bought a house and happily lived in it for more than 40 years in Lebanon Tenn., where — she would point out — the first Cracker Barrel opened in 1969. After graduating from Houston High School, she attended School of the Ozarks where she met her first husband, William Louis Burk. They soon wed and started a family, cutting short her college career. She did eventually earn her bachelor’s degree in vocational Home Economics Education from Southeast Missouri State University.
No matter where she lived or what school she attended, Barbara was very active in her community, her children’s lives and church. Girl Scout Leader, Newcomers Club, Glee Club, community theater and church choir were just a few things she participated in. Later her interests expanded to travel — both domestic and international — genealogy and family history (including photo editing and restoration), movies, brain games and travel photography.
She was always a prolific reader and was an active member of an online book club for more than 10 years. Her work life included teaching, Kmart (personnel), and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society where she loved her job as Patient Services Coordinator (with some fundraising and IT work thrown in) so much that she chose to delay retirement until well into her 70s. Barbara will be remembered for her intelligence, humor, generosity and so much more.
Services will be held at noon Wednesday, April 10 at Evans Funeral Home in Houston, Mo. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon. Burial will take place after service at the Old Success Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Evans Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.evansfh.com.