Jacquelyn Jean Barker

1937 - 2022

Jacquelyn Jean Boyd Barker, age 85, of Fayetteville, formerly of Harrison, a dearly loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, and mentor passed away peacefully on July 2 (2022) at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.
Jackie was born in Harrison, on Jan. 23, 1937, to Carlis L. and Opal Jean Auman Boyd. She graduated from Harrison High School in 1955, attended the University of Arkansas, and married Bob, her high school sweetheart. Jackie and Bob were lifelong residents of Harrison and contributed to the community in many ways. Technically, Jackie and Bob only raised three children, Pam, Debbie, and Boyd, but they also cared for a boatload of young extended family members and friends, and later, grandkids and great-grandkids. They all loved and respected Jackie and Bob and came to them for advice.
Jackie worked for years as the bookkeeper at the Holiday Inn. Most of Jackie's time, however, was spent as a hard-working volunteer for her community and state. In 1983, she and two close friends, Katherine Nance and Millie Conner established TWIGS, later renamed Circle of Friends. This foundation for the Arkansas Children's Hospital raised $70,000 in its first year and has raised more than $18 million since. Jackie held many local and state offices for Circle of Friends. Little did she know that years later, the skilled doctors and advanced technology at ACH would save her granddaughter's life.
Jackie was always interested in helping others and sharing her time and talents with those in need. In her early days, she sang at weddings, was involved in Girl Scouts, was the President of the PTA, and organized the best school carnivals in town. She was always involved in planning high school reunions, and she coordinated hundreds of weddings for the church. In 2015, Jackie was a recipient of the John Paul Hammerschmidt Woman of Distinction for her years of service to the community.
Jackie was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church and cherished her church family. Over her 60-plus years there, she served as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, a children's choir director, a member of the sanctuary choir, and was an active member of her Sunday school class, The Seekers.
From the time Jackie was a little girl, playing bridge was her passion. As a young adult, she hosted weekly bridge games in her home and later she became a certified club director, established a local duplicate bridge club, and earned Life Master status. She was also instrumental in starting bridge clubs in nearby communities, taught private lessons, founded a bridge program at North Arkansas College, and for the last 30 years, the license plate on her Cadillac has, appropriately, read "BRIDGE."
Jackie's other passions and past times included trips with her Old Gang high school friends, New Year's Eve celebrations at Elba; and trips with friends to Oaklawn. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to overseas locations to see her son Boyd, and annual family trips to Destin which included many walks on the beach collecting shells and sand dollars.
Jackie loved her family and always put them first. "Nana" took care to ensure all the details were covered for family gatherings. She and Bob enjoyed hosting family and friends creating a lively gathering place where everyone felt welcome. Whether at the boat house or home, there was always a game going on, with a soundtrack of laughter and shouts from the heated competition. And Jackie was sure to win most of those games.
The family will always remember the wonderful care she received from The Langford and her special caregiver Beverly Blevins. Even during her long illness with Alzheimer's, Jackie continued to show her strong leadership skills by always offering to help. While being cared for in the memory care unit of The Langford in Fayetteville, she looked after others, trying to help them or get help for them. And when the family or caregiver left her for the day, she would almost always say, "I Love You, and Be Safe." Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Carlis Boyd and Opal Auman Ribble; her loving husband, Bob; her sister, Billie June Hamilton, fondly known as Boo Boo; and her beautiful newborn great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Sylvie Goodhue.
She will be deeply missed by her children, Pam Henbest and husband, Dan, of Fayetteville, Debbie Cornwell and husband, David, of Conway, and Boyd Barker and partner, Art Phokapanich, of Bangkok Thailand. Nana will be missed by grandchildren, Jennifer Dunn, Lori Schaefer and husband, Paul, Laine Goodhue and husband, Ben, Aaron Mitchell and partner, Bridgette, and Taylor Mitchell; step-grandchildren, Rush Cornwell and wife, Missy, and Chris Cornwell; great-grandchildren, Emryn Gray, Ellori and Faithlin Schaefer, Beatrix Goodhue, Maddox Mitchell, Ashlen and Leighton Cornwell; and a host of family and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, at First Christian Church in Harrison with Mr. Ken Reeves officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Jackie's name to the First Christian Church, Arkansas Children's Hospital, or the charity of your choice.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.HoltChapel.com.