Kristine Louise Barkley, age 70, left this life for a better place on February 20, 2020, after a long and courageous battle with Breast Cancer. As always she fought the good fight and did it her way, the right way. It was peaceful and dignified and in the presence of her children, some of her closest friends and her husband of 47 years. There will be a void left in the hearts of all who knew her. She was never concerned with herself, only about those around her. Each of us was so lucky to know Our Kristine. Kris never let the cancer define her or rule her life; she dealt with the treatments, put them behind her, and went on living her life with joy and anticipation.
Kris was born on January 4, 1950 to Frieda and Robert Rowan in Jackson, Michigan. Kris met the love of her life, Harry at Groves High School and later attended nursing school at the University of Michigan. Harry and Kris married after college on February 24, 1973 and immediately began moving around the country. They went on many different adventures creating lifelong friendships along the way. They finally planted their roots in Georgia on the hottest day ever recorded in July, 1980.
Kris was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and especially loved her role as Gramma. After Katie, Bryan, and Kevin were in school, Kris went back to college and earned both a Masters and Specialist Degree in primary education. Kris retired as a teacher from Mt. Bethel Elementary after 25 years, most of that time as a kindergarten teacher. Kris was a dedicated teacher with the goal of preparing “her babies” for future success. Her students loved and remembered her as she was invited to several high school graduation ceremonies. You always felt safe, nurtured, and loved in her presence. She was the family cheerleader and there was no situation where she couldn’t find the bright side.
Kris was an avid tennis player and played for several years on her Mountain Creek ALTA team. She was not only a good tennis player but she never gave up and passed that confidence on to all her tennis partners. Kris was also an active member of the DAR, her book club, the retired Mt. Bethel teachers, and the Mountain Creek ladies luncheon group. For the past ten years, Kris was an active participant on Team Breasta Fiesta for the Georgia Two Day Walk for Breast Cancer where they have raised over $500,000 for Breast Cancer Organizations around Georgia.
Kris loved traveling and cruising with Harry to see new and interesting places but most of all she looked forward to spending time with her children, their spouses and her grandchildren. Kris loved having family get-togethers at their cabin on Lake Nottely, she called it “her happy place”. Kris looked forward to the Rowan family vacations at the beach with her siblings, Rick and Ruthie and their families.
Kris’s friends sent the following descriptions of her: gracious hostess, a special teacher, a wonderful mother, a special friend, instantly liked because of her contagious friendliness, caring manner, an amazing lady, sincere, warm, loyal, compassionate and strong.
Kristine is survived by her beloved husband of 47 years, Harry; her three children and their spouses, Katie (Kevin) Reed , Bryan (Nicole) Barkley, and Kevin (Jessica) Barkley; her sister Ruthie (Frank) Mirchin and brother Rick (Joanie) Rowan; her sister-in-law Barb (Dusty) Shaffer; nieces and nephews Kristi (Mark) Ashcroft, Eric (Lindsey) Rowan, Lauren (Jake) Wolff, and Adam Mirchin; and let us not forget her pride and joys, her 10 beloved grandchildren, Claire, Brooke, Kaitlin, Jenna, Verona, Lincoln, Anna, Erin, Nova, and Vega.
Please join us to celebrate Kris’s life on Tuesday, February 25, at Roswell United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell, GA at 11:00 am with a luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Kris’s favorite charity: Team Breasta Fiesta and the Georgia Two Day Walk for Breast Cancer. https://secure.ga2day.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=883182#&panel1-2
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