Nell Barling

She was the daughter of Rev. William Glen Bruner and Edna Christine (Nichols) Bruner. Nell and her three younger brothers grew up in a sharecropper family until her father, who was a chaplain in WWII, became a full-time pastor in the United Methodist Church (UMC) after the war. She attended high school in Yellville, AR where she graduated and then enrolled in Hendrix College in 1948.

Nell met the love of her life, Aaron F. Barling, during her first year at Hendrix and they married that next summer. After Aaron accepted a call to ministry in the UMC, Nell became quite active in each of the churches they served over the next 47 years. Her faith was always a strong focal point throughout her life. In the early years, she was the quintessential “pastor’s wife”: playing the piano, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and developing children’s programs. She and Aaron had three sons, Phillip, Glen Mark, and Paul. Raising her boys and furthering her church involvement took up her life for the next twenty years.

In 1975, while serving with Aaron at FUMC in Fort Smith, Nell responded to the Church’s call for volunteers to assist approximately 300,000 Vietnamese refugees at Fort Chaffee adjust to life in the U.S. She continued this effort for the next three years, becoming Coordinator of the Mallalieu Vietnamese H.O.P.E Center in Fort Smith in 1976. Nell joined the United Methodist Church Board of Global Ministries during this time. She phased out her work with the H.O.P.E. Center after three years while her interest in the Board of Global Ministries and Church World Services and their world-wide humanitarian efforts grew and strengthened.

She was elected to the Board of Directors and served two terms from 1980-1988. During her tenure there she traveled to many places – Russia, Haiti, Alaska, London, and the Holy Land – making memories she loved to later recount with the family. She also focused on local community efforts, including her membership in PEO and the local Fort Smith Chapter BD, serving as President from 2000-2001. Her legacy of humanitarian service, her perpetual Christian faith, and her love of family continues to reverberate throughout her lineage. She exemplified a respect and compassion for all cultures and peoples.

Throughout her life, Nell was an avid reader, preferring mystery novels. She also enjoyed needlepoint, quilting, crochet, ceramics, and playing cards. Nell and Aaron also had several beloved pets, providing special companionship over the years.

Nell, was predeceased by her parents, three brothers, Eldwin Junior Bruner, W.D. “Bill” Bruner, and David Michael “Mike” Bruner. Her husband, Aaron, preceded her into Heaven just three months prior. She is survived by her sons, Phil (Louise) Barling, Glen Mark Barling, Paul (Kimiko) Barling. Her surviving grandchildren are Candace (Clay) York, Aaron A. Barling, Ben (Sarah) Barling, Andrew Barling, Hannah Barling, Jason (Trisha) Barling, Nathan (Jennifer) Barling, Kari (Justin) Voss, Cooper (Mollie) Barling, Jerin (Ridge) Barling, Joshua (Amanda) Barling, David Barling and Michael Barling.

Nell loved hearing about the activities of her 19 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Nell touched many lives while in this life and she was greatly loved by many. She will be missed by her family and we will always be influenced by her legacy. The family is grateful for the love and support she has received from her church family and by all of her caregivers in recent years. Special thanks goes to Helen Grigson, a special caregiver over the past six years. She has become “one of the family” and has meant so much to all of us.

Visitation will occur on Tuesday, November 5 from 5-7pm at Edwards’ Funeral Home. Funeral service will be in Roebuck Chapel, First United Methodist Church, Fort Smith on Wednesday, November 6 at 1:00pm. Graveside service and interment will follow after at Oak Cemetery..

Memorials may be sent to: First United Methodist Church, 200 North 15th Street Fort Smith AR 729011