Barbara Jean Walters

Barbara Jean (McCracken) Walters was born in Daniel Boone, Kentucky on May 23rd, 1933 to George Arthur and Margie Zella McCracken. George “Chisel” (because of his strong chin) worked in the local coal mine. Margie was a homemaker. Most of the male residents of Daniel Boone worked in the mines. Most of the women were homemakers.

George’s brother-in-law was the local sheriff. This was a problem as George and his cousins also “ran moonshine” as a way to enhance the family income. Fortunately this never led to any jail time or violent encounters – that we know of!

Barbara soon had a younger sister – Frieda Rhea – and younger brother – Gary. They spent their early years near Daniel Boone and Nortonville, Kentucky.

Soon the family heard about the excellent employment opportunities in NW Indiana – working in the steel mills. US Steel and Inland Steel. Barb and her family – and most of her cousins and their families – moved north to try to make better lives for themselves. The “mills” offered union jobs with better pay and benefits. Both the men and women of the McCracken and Knight families took these jobs and improved the lives of their families. They went from small homes with outhouses to small homes with indoor plumbing and restrooms! Life was better – and safer – than it was in the mines.

Barb graduated from Roosevelt High School in East Chicago, IN. After a fairly short stay in northwest Indiana after high school Barb moved to Phoenix, Arizona to live with her Aunt Birchie (McCracken) Ottman. Aunt Birchie had moved to Phoenix from Kentucky with her high school sweetheart Carl. Barb worked in Phoenix as a telephone operator. Soon she met Ernie – Jay – Walters at a local roller skating rink in the Maryvale area. Ernie and his best friend Jim Adams and their friend Kenny Murdock had moved to Phoenix from their childhood homes in Kansas because of the job opportunities building new homes in the Maryvale and Sun City areas. After a fairly short dating period Barb and Jay were married. Their first child – Jim – was born in Phoenix in 1957. As the work dried up a little bit Barb’s mother – back in NW Indiana – was missing Barb. She told Barb that if they would move back to Indiana she would pay for the move. Jay agreed but only if Barb promised that they could return to AZ within a year. (Jay always loved the desert). This happened in 1958. They DID eventually move back to AZ. Over 40 years later! But Jay was happy.

Barb and Jay lived in NW Indiana from 1958 to the year 2000. Daughters Donna (Sutton) and Karen (Frey) were born there. All three children grew up and graduated from high school in Highland, IN. Barb and Jay were heavily involved at the First Church of God in Munster, IN. Barb also worked for years as a book-keeper at Kitchell Florist in Highland – which she greatly enjoyed.

When Jay retired they returned to Arizona – to follow their son Jim who had moved back with his family – but also because Jay had missed it so much. Several of his beloved sisters and their husbands were living there. Their daughter Karen also moved to AZ so most of the family was together again. Barb was happy to have many of her grandchildren nearby. Barb and her sister Frieda volunteered often at the the Aqua Fria food bank. They made several good friends there and were so proud of being able to help those in need. Barb and Jay were also members of Christ’s Community Christian Church as well as Stream’s Christian Church and Desert Springs Christian Church. Church life was important to them and they many friends there.

A memorial service for Barbara will be held Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:00 PM at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, Arizona 85338.

In lieu of flowers that family asks that any donations be made in Barbara’s name to the Aqua Fria Food and Clothing Bank in Avondale.