Barbara White Abston
April 22, 1938 - August 5, 2019

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions First United Methodist Church 317 South Main St. Monticello ,  AR 71655 8/10/2019 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Map & Directions Funeral Service First United Methodist Church 317 S. Main St. Monticello ,  AR 71655 8/10/2019 at 11:00 a.m. Map & Directions   Oakland Cemetery 800 North Hyatt St. Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions Monticello Senior Citizens Cener 203 Henley Monticello, AR 71655   First United Methodist Church 317 South Main Monticello, AR 71655

Barbara White Abston, age 81 of Monticello, went to be with her Lord and Savior Monday, August 5, 2019, at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, AR. She was born April 22, 1938, in Monticello, AR to the late George Barkley White and Bessie Bates White. She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Abston and a daughter, April A. Abston.

Her work career began as a home economics teacher at Blytheville Junior High School in 1960 before she became the organist at First United Methodist Church in Monticello, AR in 1962. She remained in that position until 1967. Barbara took the job of Director/Administrator of the Monticello/Drew County Senior Citizens Center in 1977 where she remained until her retirement in December 2018. She handled all aspects of setting up and managing a Senior Citizens program from its inception, including budgets, hiring, and managing employees. She was also a Senior Citizens Adult Education teacher from 1987-1994.

She was a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where she obtained her BS degree in Home Economics Education. Her community volunteer experience spanned many years as a Past-President of the Monticello Music Club, Secretary of District AFMC, Past-President and life-member of Monticello Junior Auxiliary, Past-President and Secretary of the Southeast Arkansas Concert Association, Past-President of MERCI Board of Directors, and Secretary of Drew County United Way Board of Directors. Barbara always remained very active in her church having served as pianist, organist, Administrative Board member, Council on Ministries, Worship Committee chairman, Sunday School teacher, choir member, and past chairman of Family Ministries. Her hobbies included playing bridge, playing the piano, reading, traveling, and going to movies, concerts and plays.

Survivors include her son, Alan Abston and wife Suzanna from Little Rock; three grandchildren, Clark, Anna and Claire Abston all of Little Rock; her first cousins, Carol Bledsoe (Bob), Don Freel, Nancy Lassiter (Dale), Eddie White and Mary Jayne White as well as many other family and friends. "Barbara added to the sum of human joy; and if everyone to whom she did a kind or loving deed was to bring a blossom to her grave, she would sleep tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers."

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 10, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Monticello with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church. Officiating will be Rev. Hammett Evans and Dr. Robert. Bledsoe. Memorials may be given to the Monticello Senior Citizens Center or the First United Methodist Church. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.