BARBARA FLOWERS

Barbara Jean (Burt) Flowers, lovingly known as “Granny Flowers” died on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at home. She was born in Little Rock, Ark., on April 29, 1931, the first daughter of Albert and Olivia Burt.

The family moved from Little Rock, Ark., to Kansas City, Kas., in 1944. She accepted Jesus Christ at the age of 15, at the Madden Temple Church of God In Christ. She graduated from Sumner High school in 1949, and entered into Nurse’s training at General Hospital #2 (presently Truman hospital) in the fall of that same year. In 1952, she graduated from Nursing school and married Harold Douglas Flowers in 1953. To this union two daughters were born, Cynthia Renee Flowers-Williams and Lynn Michelle Flowers-Miller.

She was preceded in death by parents, Albert and Olivia Burt; husband, Harold Flowers; two sisters, Albertine Burt and Joyce Glover; and daughter, Cynthia Williams.

Mrs. Flowers has had the privilege of working at all the Historically Black Medical Facilities in Kansas City as a Registered Nurse (General Hospital #2, Wheatley, Martin Luther King, and Samuel Rogers). She is remembered as a compassionate, organized, and regal supervisor and advocate for those who required medical assistance and care. In 1993, she was named as one of the 100 Influential African Americans in Kansas City, Mo. She was also a recipient of the Missouri State Board of Nursing Certificate for over 50 Years of Nursing service.

Not only was she an excellent nurse, but she was a great Sunday School teacher, Women’s Mission leader, New Members Coordinator, Choir Member, Youth Worker, and member of the Nursing Ministry, all at the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ.

She retired from nursing in 2018, and moved in with her daughter and son-inlove, Lynn and Donald Miller. In 2021, the family moved to Fort Smith, Ark.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Lynn Miller (Donald); two granddaughters: Neetra Williams and Tommye Robinson (Rodney); four great-grandchildren: Michael Williams (Aitya), Cynthia Williams-Marshall, Deion Robinson, and CharLee Robinson; three great-greatgranddaughters: India, Noah, and Alijah Williams; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends; especially those who called her “Granny Flowers.”

Instead of flowers consider donating to the “Granny Flowers” Scholarship that will award monetary assistance to Black youth going into nursing school. Send a check/money order to Barbara Flowers, 5610 Grand Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72904 or use Cash App $Granny Barbara Flowers and put your address in the “Note” box. You will receive a formal Thank You for your donation.

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, Aug.8, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Watkins Heritage chapel.

Interment, Blue Ridge Lawn cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the chapel.

Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral chapel.