Barbara Lynn Whipple

Barbara Lynn Stratton Whipple, beloved wife to Larry H. Whipple and cherished Mother to Wes, Sandi and Brad and a best friend to everyone she met, passed away at her home at Whipple Ranch on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Barbara was born in Mesa, Arizona on April 29, 1939 and spent her childhood in Snowflake. Barbara was always proud that she was an Arizona native descended from a pioneer family and on November 21, 1958 two Arizona pioneer families were joined together when she married Larry Whipple of Show Low. Barbara embraced the ranching life into which she had married. She had a big hand in the farming and ranching operations. She also enjoyed cooking delicious meals for the cowboys at Sponsellor and other Ranches. Barbara never left the house without her makeup on, her hair styled perfectly, her clothes crisp and her jewelry on. She never met a stranger and was well suited for her work at the Show Low Chamber of Commerce and as a volunteer on the Election Board. Larry and Barbara later owned and operated Whipple's Energy House. Barbara also worked for many years at Farm Credit from which she retired. She then worked part time taking courtesy signings for the title company. After her retirement she continued to stay active, especially after the arrival of her grandson Hunter. Every December she traveled to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo. Barbara loved the White Mountains and never missed a chance to explore back roads and find a perfect spot for a family picnic or to search for arrowheads. Barbara loved to turkey hunt. She also enjoyed hunting elk at Canyon Creek, mule deer at Kaibab and camping with her family on Easter at Roosevelt Lake. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend Barbara is survived by her husband of over fifty years, Larry; sons, Wes, Brad; daughter, Sandi (Ronnie)Braswell; grandson, Hunter Braswell; brothers, Dan (Iris) Stratton, Steve (Verlyn) Stratton, Faye (Lynn) Stratton; sister, Shirley (Hartley) Webb; and numerous nieces and nephews. Barbara is also survived by her extended family Saul Hernandez (Susana) and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn Statton and Vivian Green Weber. Barbara was a truly remarkable woman and will be greatly missed. A visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Show Low Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the funeral to begin at 10:00 A.M. Burial will be at the Show Low Cemetery. Luncheon to follow after concluding services at the Cemetery will be at the Show Low Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.