Barbara Ann Clatt

Barbara was born June 29, 1932 in Mt. Vernon Arkansas, to Jason and Pauline Prothro. Growing up she and her sisters worked in her father’s crop fields. She attended school when she wasn’t needed in the fields and in 1950 she graduated from Rosebud High School with the title of Most Valuable Guard for the High School girls basketball team.

Barbara married Basil (Speedy) Meredith Clatt on February 12, 1951. They had 3 children, Charles Gaylon Clatt, Bob Dwayne Clatt, and Regina Ann Staggs. Due to her husband being a truck driver, with long hours away and not having enough income to support the growing family, she began her life as a wife and mother on rocky ground traveling between Arkansas, Texas, and California and taking jobs as they became available. Her first accounting job was at Gallo Wineries in California and this seemed to have sparked her desire to pursue secretarial and accounting jobs throughout her lifetime. Moving from California back to Lubbock Texas, she continued working in accounting and other various jobs.

Divorcing in 1967 she began a new stage in her life as a single parent and sole provider for her 3 children. She did this by sometimes working 2 or 3 jobs at a time. In the end always being able to provide what was needed for her children.

She finally was hired by Latham Dow Motors and began her lifelong career in dealership accounting which led to management positions soon afterwards. Barbara always strived to give 110% to every job she undertook and sought to train those under her to give 110% as well. She did this all while seeking to enjoy life to the fullest.

Barbara received many honors during her years of working including The Office Education award for personal meritorious service on behalf of the youth of America, Annual Honor Society of Accountants Award given in 1972, 1973, and 1979.

Barbara enjoyed her fine clothing, shoes, and jewelry. Dressing professionally was a must for Barbara, always wanting to look her best whether she was working, traveling, or just enjoying the grandkids. You never saw her without her lipstick on or her nails done. In fact, Barbara told one of her granddaughter’s to never leave the house without her lipstick on. Up until a few days before her passing we made sure she was wearing her lipstick……it was that important and yes, her nails were done also.

Barbara was an avid football and basketball fan, favoring the Dallas Cowboys and the San Antonio Spurs. She enjoyed going to a few Spurs games while living in San Antonio. If she was unable to attend a “live” game, she was always in front of the T.V. cheering them on.

She also enjoyed listening to Country and Western music, but only the oldies such as Mel Tillis, Dolly Parton, Johnny and June Carter Cash, Glen Campbell, Tammy Wynett, Hank Williams. Her all time favorite artist though was Elvis Presley. Elvis seemed to always be playing somewhere at all times whether it be in the house, the car, her 8 track tapes or on her T.V. She enjoyed, with her daughter, actually getting to see Elvis in concert in Lubbock Texas in 1972.

Barbara overcame many health issues in her lifetime and she continued to age and as retirement came creeping in, she was finally allowed the luxury through her many years of hard work and being frugal the joy of traveling.

She was fun-loving and looked forward to new adventures. Barbara could often be found spending the weekend exploring SeaWorld or Six Flags in San Antonio (and taking any visiting grandchild or grandchildren who may be spending the weekend with her). She was able to venture to Branson Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Niagara Falls Canada, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands only to name a few, and she often traveled back home to Arkansas for her annual high school reunions. Her most favorite destination of all time was Walt Disney World in Florida. For the past 20 years, up until 2019, she made her yearly trip to Walt Disney World in December during the Christmas season, always attending the special Christmas programs, enjoying the beautiful Christmas decorations, and the light displays.

Barbara was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, a true Matriarch. Teaching her children and grandchildren many valuable lessons along the way. She is greatly loved and greatly missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Regina Staggs (David); son, Bob Clatt (Cindy); daughter-in-law, Rose Clatt; sister, Mary Hodges; grandchildren, Taren, Jon, Chris, Jasmyne, Tyler, Chase, Rachel, Lauren, and Daniel; and great-grandchildren, Judah, Jada, Jaden, Jaxson, Emma, Esther, August, Willa Eve, Keziah, Ezra, Ian, and Zoey.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Charles Gaylon Clatt; sisters, Dorothy Overstreet and Virginia Ramsey; and brother, Billy Prothro.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 4, 2022 at 5 p.m. at Rosewood Funeral Chapels. Burial will be on Friday, January 6, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Bethesda Cemetery in Rose Bud, Arkansas.

Words of comfort and special memories may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.