Barbara Leigh Whetstone

Barbara Leigh Nelson Whetstone of Henderson, Nevada passed away February 17, 2022 surrounded by her family. Barbara was the oldest of 4 children (Dennis, Wendy, & Janet) born to Alvin Simpson Nelson & Amy Alice Whitehouse Nelson in Tooele, Utah on May 26, 1948. Barbara's family moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1950. Barbara grew into an athlete who loved to run and play every sport she could beat the boys at. Coach Barbara Tyson was Barbara's coach for 4 years at Basic Highschool. Coach was VERY influential in Barbara going to college. Barbara went to NAU and met the love of her life, James Herschel Whetstone (THE Marine).

Barbara & Jim were married in the St. George, Utah LDS temple September 12, 1969. After Jim's graduation of NAU and the Marine Corps, Jim & Barbara moved to Henderson, Nevada where they raised their 4 daughters, Rebecca (Hector) Rodriguez, Deborah (James) Prasse, Tracy Hampton, & Amy (Lee) Thompson and one foster daughter, Brenda Belliston. Barbara has 8 grandchildren & 2 great grandchildren.

Barbara was very active in her church and held many callings serving the youth. Barbara was a substitute teacher at Basic Highschool for many years and later became a school nurse primarily working at Las Vegas Highschool. Barbara loved being outdoors and volunteering for the Boy Scouts of America alongside her husband. Barbara loved quilting, sewing, canning, baking, singing, playing the guitar, & much more. Being a friend to all, being a mother, & being a Grandmother were the highlights of her life. Being kind and always serving came natural to Barbara.

Barbara is now with our loved ones who preceeded her in death: her husband, her parents, her sister Wendy Meneley, a baby daughter Sandy Ranee, & two baby sons Benjamin & Michael, along with other loved family and friends. She will be dearly missed.

You've run your race, mom. Until we meet again... we'll run ours.