Barbara June Young

Barbara June Young entered into her heavenly spiritual existence on September 28, 2026 surrounded by her many friends and family. Throughout her vibrant 77 years of life, she was a faithful daughter, sister, mother, grand mother, great grandmother, mentor, teacher, and friend. Born in San Jose, California on July 30, 1949, to Thomas E. and Gennevee Bearden, Barbara spent her earliest childhood years in Sunnyvale, California. She later moved with her family to Harrison, Arkansas, graduating from Harrison High School with the class of 1967. Barbara later went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1994. A devout Christian, Barbara practiced her faith daily and attended numerous churches throughout her life. Barbara was a proud mother to three sons, whom she loved and prayed for daily. A certified teacher for many years in Arkansas and Oklahoma, Barbara mentored many children and adults in the graphic arts, particularly photography, drawing, painting, knitting, crochet, and ceramics. She was locally known for her wonderful and award-winning paintings, including the large Baptistry Mural which has been on continuous display at the First Baptist Church in Green Forest, Arkansas for nearly 50 years. She once owned and operated a small ceramics and porcelain shop for several years and has been a valued member of various Ozark Mountain area craft guilds and art co-ops over the years. Most recently, Barbara taught adult art classes at the La Posada retirement community in Green Valley, Arizona. Barbara loved observing the natural world and traveling, which provided much of the subject materials for her still life and landscape paintings. In addition to art, Barbara also enjoyed playing pickleball in her spare time and was a member of the Green Valley Recreational Association, where she had advanced as a level 3 player. She possessed a lovely and talented spirit and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Barbara was preceded in death by her oldest son David, her youngest brother, and her father. She is survived by her mother, two brothers and one sister, her sons Darrell and Courtney, five grand children, a great grandson and another on the way. As directed in her final wishes, her ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.