Barbara Jean Burkhart

Barbara Jean Burkhart, 78, of Wynne passed away September 4, 2014 at her home. Barbara was born to Maude (Norris) and Grover Crawford in the Summersweet Community southeast of Wynne on March 14, 1936. After graduating from Wynne High school in 1953 Barbara was employed by Eaton Yale & Towne in Forrest City. Barbara loved theatre and music so while living in Forrest City was a member of the Forrest City Little Theatre. Barbara next moved to Dallas and then to Boulder, Colorado, in the mid-1970’s to attend the University of Colorado. She later took a job at Beech Aircraft in the Engineering Test Department as the department secretary. The Test Department worked on contracts to build the cryogenic oxygen and hydrogen Power Reactant Storage Assembly (PRSA) for the NASA Space Shuttles. Barbara and her co-workers were extremely proud to be part of the US Space Program. Barbara worked at Beech until the mid-1980’s, when she decided to expand her creative horizons and open Henri’s, a small boutique in old town Golden, Colorado, where she sold women’s clothing and accessories. Barb’s fashion sense and warm personality made Henri’s a success until a bout with cancer and hard economic times a few years later forced her to close the business. Barb then worked as the manager of Beyond Denver, a gift shop at the exclusive Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, which served rock stars and Presidents. When Beyond Denver closed in 2005, Barbara returned to her friends and family, including her brother, Robert, in her hometown of Wynne, Arkansas. Barbara quickly became involved in the community serving on committees and Boards at Wynne Presbyterian Church, Cross County Historical Society and Wynne Music Club. She served on the Wynne Presbyterian Little Sheep board and was genuinely concerned about the children of the school. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Grover and Maude Crawford. She is survived by her brother, Robert Crawford of Wynne, Arkansas. Visitation will be Tuesday, at Kernodle Funeral Home, from 6 to 8 PM. Graveside services will be Wednesday at 10:30 AM at Bay Village Cemetery. Memorial services will be Wednesday at 2 PM at the Wynne Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to the Wynne Presbyterian Church, 1735 E. Poplar Ave, Wynne, Arkansas 72396.

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Barbara Jean Burkhart

March 14, 1936 - September 4, 2014