BARBARA “BABS” BROWN WHIPPLE, 77, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 26, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Virgil Whipple, and her parents, architect Robert Eugene Brown and Dorothy Neel Brown.
Barbara was born on June 8, 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated from East High School in 1955, where she and “Virgil” first courted. Barbara received her BA Degree from Memphis State University in 1959, where both she and Jim were selected for “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” She was secretary of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and was involved with Psi Chi, Tassel, Supreme Court, SGA, Art Club, Panhellenic, Phi Gamma, Cub Club, Psychology Club, and Westminster Fellowship. Babs and Jim married on June 7, 1959 following their graduations from MSU. They lived in Knoxville, Tennessee while Jim earned his Master of Science Degree, where she worked as a secretary for TVA. Upon returning to Memphis, Barbara worked in the personnel office at Memphis State University, and later trained clients of Jim’s computer software company, Admark, on the use of WordPerfect software. She was a talented seamstress and photographer.
Shortly after Jim’s death in 2001, Barbara was diagnosed with chronic primary pulmonary hypertension, but was able to maintain a remarkably independent lifestyle until the last weeks of her life. People were frequently amazed at “Beebe’s” mobility as she rolled her oxygen bottles around to attend her beloved grandchildren’s school programs, sporting events, and other special occasions. Jim and Babs were faithful members of Second Presbyterian Church, where she was a member of the Jeb Russell Class.Barbara recently moved to The Solana of Germantown where she made many new friends and was loved by all.
Barbara was a very loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She is survived by her daughter, Melinda Whipple Heard (Robert Goodwyn Heard III), her grandchildren, Robert Goodwyn Heard IV, James Whipple Heard, and Kathryn Carruthers Heard, and her brother, David Allan Brown of Corinth, Mississippi.
Visitation will be held at Memphis Funeral Home, Poplar Chapel on Monday, July 29, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, in the Sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church or the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.
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