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Barbara McKelvey Obituary
Barbara Jean (Smith) McKelvey passed peacefully at her home at the age of 93 years old on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Born on Jan. 9, 1933, in Beech Grove, she was the wife of Rev. Earl D. McKelvey for 52 years from 1951 until his passing in 2003.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny Eugene (Gene) Smith and Muriel Stallcup; brothers, John Edward (Don) Smith and Daniel Wayne Smith (Mary Ann); sister, Betty Jane Moulder (Jack); husband, Earl McKelvey; sons, Jack McKelvey and Tim McKelvey; grandson, Aaron Micah Barnhardt; great-grandson, Josiah Barnhardt; brother-in-law, Hootie Lenderman; and nephew, Daniel Wayne Smith II.
Barbara is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Lynn Barnhardt (Paul) of Gallatin, Tenn.; son, David W. McKelvey (Kathy) of Farmington, Mo.; sister, Pat Lenderman; granddaughters, Shannon Pennie (Brandon) of Paragould and Miranda McKelvey of Farmington, Mo.; grandsons, Joshua Barnhardt (Karee) of Van Buren, Jordan Barnhardt of Gettysburg, Pa., Nathan McKelvey (Becca) of Jonesboro, and Ryan McKelvey (Anna) of Farmington, Mo.; 17 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 7, from 1 p.m. until service time at Phillips Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home with Bro. Kim Bridges officiating. Burial will follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens.
Barbara's grandchildren, Shannon Pennie, Miranda McKelvey, Joshua Barnhardt, Jordan Barnhardt, Nathan McKelvey and Ryan McKelvey will serve as pallbearers. Barbara's great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.
If one wishes to make a lasting memorial, please consider donations to First Freewill Baptist Church in honor of Barbara.
Visit www.phillipsfuneral .org to send online condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Phillips Funeral Home - Paragould4904 West Kingshighway, Paragould, AR 72450
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