Barbara Ruth (Browne) Bernard

Oct 17, 1924 - Jun 11, 2014

Barbara Ruth Browne Bernard died on Wednesday, 11 June 2014.

Barbara was a woman before her time. The daughter of a Baptist preacher, Barbara graduated from Central High School in South Bend, Ind., spending childhood summers in Kenosha, Wis. She left a legacy to her alma mater, Franklin College, Indiana, from which she graduated in 1946.

Barbara married Carl Franklin Bernard in 1949, following him to occupied Japan via troop ship. She supported Carl in his military career during his deployment to Korea in the first days of the Korean War, subsequent assignments stateside, and also as part of occupation forces in Germany.

After divorcing in 1963, Barbara was a single mother when being a divorcee was more than frowned upon, and received her master's degree from Emporia State Teacher's College when many women did not even attend college.

Barbara taught and mentored both Junior and Senior High students in Leavenworth, Kan., prior to moving to Maryville in 1966 to teach Physical Education to college and university students at NWMSU until her retirement in 1992. Barbara was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority, faculty advisor to the Sigma Phi Dolphins synchronized swimming club at NWMSU, and was an avid bowler.

In addition to seemingly "insignificant" life lessons taught to her children - such as independence, the importance of a strong work ethic, as well as all the little things like how to tie one's own shoes - she not only instilled those values to her children, but they are continuing to be passed along to her three great-grandchildren.

All her life, Barb advocated for equality for women, especially in the physical education arena, with Title 9 a pet project. She was always a fighter for what was right, and in later years she was vocal about the respect due to residents of retirement homes such as that in which she lived.

Preceded in death by: her parents, Charles Clayton Browne and Harriet Ruth Losey; and sister, Martha Browne White,

Barbara is succeeded by her brother, Conrad; daughter, Marti Bernard Santos (husband, Al Santos) of Alto, N.M.; along with her son, Hugh Bernard (wife, Julie Surratt) of Annapolis, Md. She is also succeeded by three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Barbara's desire was to be cremated, and services will be held at a future date.

Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com

10/26/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131385077/barbara-ruth-bernard