Barbara E Whitney

APRIL 30, 1946- JANUARY 28, 2023

Barbara was a twin and her brother Bobby always teased her that she was the oldest. Because she entered the world first. But he always hinted she may have been pushed, him being the gentleman and all.

Barbara and Bobby were the children of John Lewis Short and Miriam Elizabeth Berry. They had two younger brothers Richard Leon and half brother Bryan Keith Short.

Barbara grew up in Pleasant Grove and graduated from W.W.Samuell in 1964. She met and married James Wesley Whitney in May of her senior year and became a bonus Mom to Victoria Lynn 6, Ricky Glen 5 and Nikhi Gwen 3. Then in 1965, James and Barbara bought their first house and welcomed their first child James Lewis. In August of 1966, they welcomed a second child Mary Elizabeth and in 1969 John Keith.

Barbara was a homemaker until 1981. Her first job was at a Kmart. She found her forever job in 1983. When she started working at the Dallas County Tax Office in downtown Dallas. Eventually she transferred to the Mesquite office. She worked there for 25 plus' yrs. She met and made many wonderful life long friends there. She really enjoyed helping people, that's what made her heart the happiest. She simply loved helping anyone and everyone without judgement..

Barbara loved her family most of all and when the Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren came along she was, 'All in'. She shuffled kids to school, volunteered at school activities, attended plays, football games, soccer games, beauty pageants, orchestra programs and loved birthday parties.

Mom was a social butterfly 🦋

until she couldn't be anymore.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Miriam Short, brother Bobby and his wife Marilyn Short, half sister Joy Duncan, half brothers Phillip Ray and Tony Wayne Short and bonus granddaughter Maegan Whitney.

She is survived by son James Lewis & wife Lauren Whitney, daughter Mary Elizabeth Gattis and son John Keith Whitney, as well as, bonus children Victoria Whitney, Ricky and Barbara Whitney, Nikhi & Bobby Fregia. Plus numerous wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren, of which every single one was precious to her.