Barbara Jean Whitehorn left this world peacefully and passed into eternal life on the morning of Friday, November 7, 2025, at the age of 85. Barbara graduated on this day to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurman and Inez Lowery, her first husband of seven years, Bobby Laird Vaughan, and her first son, Milton (Mickey) Edward Vaughan, born June 5, 1958. He died on January 11, 1959, her daughter, Bobbie Jo Vaughan, and her sister, Vivian Lynn Curry.
Barbara was born on May 25, 1940, in Lufkin, Texas. She later moved to Houston with her family, where she met Arnold Whitehorn at Sam Houston High School. They fell in love and were married on April 8, 1966. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.
Barbara was blessed with many talents. She was a realtor who worked for Century 21 Realty for many years. She also sold Avon all while being a stay-at-home mom, raising four beautiful daughters. She had a passion for the arts and was an accomplished, award-winning professional artist. She had an art studio in her home. She shared her art skills, teaching students where she was known as “Bjean” at local venues across Humble and Houston. She had a passion for travel and visited and painted in Austria and Italy with her art group. Growing up, she began piano lessons at the age of 8 and became an accomplished pianist, learning classical pieces by composers such as Chopin and Tchaikovsky. She also performed at the River Oaks Country Club. She won a scholarship to the St. Louis Conservatory of Music at the young age of 15.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 59 years, A. B. Whitehorn; Their daughter, Melodie Alverson—daughter Codi Alverson Borak, with sons Bentley and Beckham; daughter Shelby Alverson
Villarreal and husband Joe, with daughters Shay and Stassi; Their daughter, Mandelyn Jean Vaughan-McDonald—daughter Brandy Moreno and husband Anthony, with daughters Presley, Harper, and Piper; daughter Randi Michelle Brogdon and husband Timmy, with son Graham and daughter Emerson; Their daughter, Michelle Whitehorn Beardmore, and husband Brian—son Colton Beardmore and wife Grace, with daughter Blaire and son Klein; son Connor Beardmore and wife Kayla, with daughters Blake and Laura; daughter Cameron Michelle Beardmore; Their son, Steven Whitehorn, and his wife, Cynthia—son J.W. Whitehorn and wife Ellen, with daughter Esther Rose, son Joshua, and daughter Elizabeth; son Walker Whitehorn and wife Brenda.
Barbara is also survived by her brother, Robert Lowery; his wife, Cindy, and her brother-in-law, Ron Curry. Barbara was beloved by her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Barbara on Thursday, November 13. Visitation will be from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by the service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Brookside Champions, 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, Texas 77068. The gravesite service will be held at 1:00 PM at Brookside Cemetery Lauder at 13401 Eastex Fwy., Houston 77039
Godspeed to a beloved Wife, a Mom, a Sister, a Grandmother, and a Great-Grandmother! Until we meet again in Heaven, we love you, always and forever!
