Reba Barnhart
A celebration of life service for Reba Barnhart, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon, Saturday, June 16, 2018 in the Main Room at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Barnhart departed this life on January 20th after 92 years of a life well lived. Born and raised in Columbia, Missouri, she married Charles Barnhart on August 17, 1947 and shared a life with him until his passing in 2006. They moved the family to West Plains in 1960 for Mr. Barnhart’s job with the Department of Conservation, and she held down the house on Nichols Drive until their kids were old enough to take care of themselves. At that point Mrs. Barnhart wanted to put her college to use. She taught kindergarten in the West Plains school system from 1967 until her retirement in 1988; she loved the little children and thought she had the best job on earth. Mom never quit smiling, and in all the years I never heard her say a bad thing about anybody. She was a happy, loving, and caring wife, mother and teacher. She and dad felt lucky to find their place in West Plains. They loved the small town atmosphere and the people who lived there. They made many friends, and after retirement, she and dad were active in running and supporting the West Plains Track Club.
She is survived by her sons Mark, Craig, Paul and their families, ten grandchildren and 6 great-grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles and her son, Chris.
The family invites everyone to join with them in the celebration of her life, to share memories with them. The family also encourages anyone who wishes, to write a memory they might have of Reba on a card and leave it during the celebration.
A private burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Public Library or West Vue Nursing Center and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Pam Roberts Cox
June 9, 2018 @ 10:31 am
Mrs. Barnhart was an amazing kindergarten teacher! She was mine in 1968. Throughout the years, she remained my favorite. I moved away after high school. But on one of my trips home years later, I ran into her. She knew who I was immediately! She was a very special lady.
Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
June 11, 2018 @ 12:05 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Barnhart was a remarkable lady.
Susan Shannon York
June 13, 2018 @ 10:37 am
I entered kindergarten in 1971, with an unusual accent acquired while living in Maryland, and without being able to pronounce my ‘R’ sound. I called your mom ‘Missy Bon-Hot’. Until just a few years ago, I received a Christmas card from her each year , signed “Missy Bon-Hot”. I loved your mother. And will miss her beautiful smile and quick wit. My condolences, Susan Shannon York
Bud & Marie Nale
June 13, 2018 @ 2:15 pm
Your Mother was a very special lady. She loved making people happy. We remember how she made my Mother and Dad, (Ben and Zoulia Krohn ) enjoy their time at West Vue. She helped with games each week and anything she could do to make all residents feel at home. She will be missed by all.
Ken Wagoner
June 18, 2018 @ 9:00 am
Your Mother was an exceptional woman. She taught one of my children and was wonderful. She was also perceptive, saw things we missed, and gently pointed them out. And as you say in the obituary, she was full of kindness and never spoke a bad word of anyone. Ken Wagoner