Barbara M Cruce

Barbara McMullan Cruce, age 81, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in Brinkley. A daughter of John and Hazel McMullan, she was born in Cotton Plant on August 2, 1935. She was a 1953 graduate of Cotton Plant High School and later attended Arkansas State College and then Arkansas State Teachers College graduating in 1957. Barbara was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Delta, Epsilon Zeta chapter at ASU. Barbara dedicated 48 years to teaching in the communities of Leachville, Cotton Plant and Brinkley. In 1970 she began teaching 2nd grade at Partee Elementary and remained there until her retirement in 2008. In 1999 she received the Outstanding Educator Of The Year Award from the Brinkley Chamber of Commerce. She became a member of the First United Methodist Church in Brinkley on November 18, 1973. For the past 44 years she served in many capacities including UMW president and assisted with the formation of the hand bell choir. Barbara was a member of the PEO Sisterhood, a philanthropic organization that is dedicated to the advancement of women and celebrates their achievements. She was also a member of Garden Club, Gli Amici, Hypsion Club, Music Club, and Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society whose members are outstanding women educators. She and Donald were married on May 30, 1958 in Cotton Plant and lived in the communities of Leachville, Cotton Plant and Brinkley. Their home was blessed with the birth of two daughters, Lee Ann and Kathryn. She was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Benny McMullan and Mary Elizabeth King. Immediate family remaining husband: Don Cruce; daughters: Lee Ann Wilson (Steve) from Springdale and Kathryn Webb (Mark) from Jonesboro; grandchildren: Christopher Stinson (Lynne) of Fayetteville, John Mark and Hayes Webb of Jonesboro; great-grandchild: Liam Stinson of Fayeteville; brother: Dr. John McMullan (Arda) from Kennett, Mo. Visitation: 1-2 p.m. Friday, May 5 at Brinkley First United Methodist Church with service following at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Cotton Plant Cemetery, Cotton Plant, Ark. Memorial may be given to First United Methodist Church of Brinkley, 404 W. Ash St., Brinkley, Ark. 72021. Bob Neal and Sons Funeral Home-Brinkley is in charge of arrangements. You may sign the guestbook at www.bobnealandsons.com.