Barbara Mae Keaton, daughter of Alton and Wilma (Frazier) Keaton, was born in Waynesville, Missouri on August 13, 1944. She passed away at her home in Eminence on January 3, 2025.

Barb grew up on the family farm on Jack's Fork.  She attended Eminence School and graduated in 1962.  She and her best friend Emma (Lease) Powell set off to meet the world by moving to Jefferson City to search for employment, where Geneva Smith took them under her wing.  Barb accepted employment with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and continued to work for that agency for over forty years.  After retiring, she continued to live in Jefferson City until the apartment building in which she lived, was sold.  She returned to Shannon County to live in the Cunningham house, which she had owned for some time.

Barb was a quiet person with a very active interest in people and issues.  She kept current on politics and local and world events.  She served on the cemetery board, supported numerous charities, and was as active as her health would allow in supporting the Democrat party.  She had acquaintances from all walks of life and enjoyed visiting tremendously.  She was very close to her family and an unflagging supporter of her little sister.  From road trips to a day in Horse Hollow, she went along.  Her cats, her books, and her music brought her joy.

Very early in her life, Barb learned various needlework skills that she used and enjoyed throughout her life.  Many acquaintances received carefully wrought handmade items from her to mark special occasions.  She enjoyed gardening and being outdoors.  She could grow about anything and always had an array of blooming plants.  She was interested in history and read on a broad range of subjects.  She liked every animal that she ever met, including Millie the groundhog who lived under her porch in Jeff City and who always got a serving of birdseed along with the birds.

Preceding Barbie in death, were her parents, Alton and Wilma; both maternal grandparents, James Frazier and Grace and Dick Price; her paternal grandparents, Claude and Ida Keaton; and her brother-in-law, John McFarland.

She is survived by her sister, Bonnie; numerous cousins; and many friends whose friendship, care, and support made her life much easier, Brad and Chris, Debra, Doyle, Chink and Tommy, Matt, Candra and Dan, Pam, Tim, David, and many others.

Barb was a loving and special woman.  Her wit, humor, love, and kindness will be missed.  Her passing leaves a hole in our hearts.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Yarber Mortuary, Eminence, Missouri, with Dale Wilkes officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Interment will be in New Eminence Cemetery, Eminence. Memorial contributions may be made to The Heart Association, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, or The Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.