Barbara Jean Forkum, daughter of the late Burette Whitener and Pearl Mae “Bayran” Whitener was born on February 7, 1932 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and departed this life on November 9, 2018 at the Crowley Ridge Nursing Home in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 86 years.

Mrs. Forkum enjoyed watching children at her home for a living.  She enjoyed reading her Bible and was of Baptist faith.  She has always been a very good cook and loved to cook a big Sunday lunch for whoever showed up.  Always put out a big veggie garden and it would last all summer.  She also enjoyed her flower garden and was a hardworking lady, no matter what she was doing. If you were going to help her, you better plan on working hard.

On October 29, 1977 she was united in marriage to Dayton Forkum in Dexter.  He preceded her in death on August 25, 1998.

Survivors include: two sons, Gary Huffman and wife Lynn of Bloomfield and Randy Huffman and wife Robin of Dexter; three daughters, Debbie Kirby and husband Pat of Dexter, Pam Huffman of Dexter and Sonia Huffman of Dexter; by one step-son, Larry Forkum of Malden; by two sisters, Joyce Kiker of St. Louis and Dorothy Collier of St. Louis; by many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a special friend, Sue Tippen

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two step-sons, Kenneth Forkum and Jim Forkum, two brothers, Tommy Whitener and Manuel Whitener, four sisters, Lois Kennison, Doris Schaeffer, Carolyn Rodawald and Audrey Duckett.

A graveside service will be conducted on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Chalk Bluff Cemetery with Rev. Ken McAnulty officiating for all family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to UCAN at 2620 N. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, Mo 63901 or Stoddard County Children’s Home at PO Box 164, Bloomfield, Mo 63825.