Barbara Jean (Royal) Kingery of Hot Springs Ark., 81, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, May 26, 2023.
Barbara was born in Danbury, Conn. to Argerie "Pete" Baxter and Lenita Lee (Smith) Royal. She is reunited with her beloved husband of 56 years, Victor Neil Kingery. She was predeceased by sister, Jacqueline (George) Rawlings; brother, Alan (Cheryl) Royal. She is survived by daughter, Catherine (Raymond) Moushon of Morton Ill.; son, James (Kellie) Kingery of Hot Springs; daughter, Darlene (David) Gentles of Pearcy; precious granddaughters whom she adored: Lauren (Jonathan) Gentles; Halo (Vito) Selvaggio; Belle (Maxwell) Kestner; Constance Moushon; Emily Gentles; Aurora Moushon; Prairie Moushon; Sara Kingery; great-grandsons, Lorenzo Selvaggio; Hugo Kestner; Judah Kestner. Barbara is survived by her brother, David Nate Royal, many nieces and nephews.
Barbara graduated from Mattoon Ill. High and Eastern Illinois University where she met her husband. Married and with 3 small children, she turned her tassel in Art Education at Peru State College Nebraska. For 20+ years, Barbara enjoyed teaching art from kindergarten through college notably in NW Mo., Glenwood, and Kirby schools. Grateful parents treasure a coveted "Kingery charcoal portrait" of their child. "Bad boys" who misbehaved during study hall were redirected to Mrs. Kingery's Art Room and tasked with softening/pounding new boxes of pottery clay, remediated by cleaning walls (followed by painting murals), reformed by shelving supplies, then remanded back to study hall. Her classroom studio unleashed creativity, curiosity, fear amongst janitors, and changed young lives for the better. Barbara relished greetings from former students who said "I bet you don't remember me, Mrs. Kingery", (she remembered!) "but I loved your art class!" After hugs and kisses, grandchildren dashed to "Grandma's Prize Drawer" followed by art lessons, cookie decorating, book reading, and silly songs with Grandma. Fishing, bonfires, cabin overnights with Grandma were the best! She produced homemade jellies and homemade SCRABBLE words. Barb was a master storyteller who never let the facts interfere with a good story, brilliantly living her best life. Barb and Vic enjoyed the lake cabin that Vic built, gardening, fishing, Rocky Mountain camping, and entertaining family in Hot Springs. Barb enjoyed mischievously pranking staff at Belvedere Nursing until her brief illness. She will be missed every day until we are reunited into family everlasting.
Celebration of life service: Smith Family Funeral Home in Hot Springs on June 10, 2023.
Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m., Service at 10 a.m.
Arrangements under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home – Hot Springs.