Barbara Ann Whitman

JENNINGS

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. (Ps.23:4)

It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara Ann Conner Whitman announces her passing from this life on Wednesday February 14, 2018, while surrounded by her family. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, nurse and friend, Barbara loved God, and she loved her family.

Barbara was born on February 2, 1944, in Jennings, LA, to Ray and Devenia Davison Conner. She married the love of her life, Howard Whitman, on September 1, 1962, and together they raised five children who were her pride and joy. Barbara was a strong supporter of St. Maria Goretti Catholic School and a regular fixture at her children’s sports events. Once her grandchildren began playing basketball in Hathaway, she became a devoted Hathaway Hornet fan.

When Barbara graduated as Lake Arthur High School’s valedictorian in 1962, she chose to forego college in favor of marriage. Sixteen years later, the married mother of five graduated as valedictorian from the Southwest Louisiana Vocational Technical School’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program in Crowley, LA. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for the Jennings American Legion Hospital, Health Link Home Care Agency, and Resource Management. For twenty-seven years, Barbara served her patients with love, care, and compassion. Barbara had other talents in addition to her nursing skills. Among the “Conner Tribe”, she was known for her homemade lemon meringue pies and her momma’s fruitcake.

Barbara was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Arthur and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She also loved to pray in church. Barbara would have Howard arrive at church on Sunday an hour early, so she could pray.

Those left to cherish Barbara’s memory include her husband and best friend of 55 years, Howard Whitman of Lake Arthur, LA; her children: Mark Whitman and his wife Donna of Portsmouth, VA; Wayne Whitman and his wife Lisa of Gueydan, LA; Monica Blanchard, Michelle Bentley and her husband Jeff, and Rachel Suire and her husband Addison, all of Hathaway, LA; her “adopted” daughter Amanda Bonin Miller and her husband Gregory of Evangeline, LA; her siblings: Ray(Butch) Conner, Jr. and his wife Beverly of Welsh, LA; George Kenneth Conner and his wife Charlotte of Houston, Texas; Steven (Black) Conner, his wife Shyrel, and Brenda Trahan, all of Lake Arthur, LA; Imelda Guidry and her husband Ronald of Elton, LA; Gerard Conner of Bastrop, LA; Thomas (Tommy)Conner of Roanoke, LA; Clarice Bonin and her husband Leonard of Lake Arthur, LA; Carole Theunissen and her husband Stephen of Abbeville, LA; her thirteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; four “adopted” grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. She loved her Aunt Betty (Conner)Myers of Winnie, Texas as a sister.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Devenia Davison Conner; her baby sister, Bernadette Conner; her granddaughter, Chloe Moore; and her “adopted” granddaughter, Abbie Claire Miller.

A Mass of Christian Burial to honor Barbara’s life and love of God will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Arthur, LA, on February 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Jay Alexius officiating. Burial will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery in Lake Arthur. Visitation will be at Miguez Funeral Home in Jennings, LA on Friday, February 16, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday, February 17, from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. when we will leave for the church. Carrying Barbara to her final resting place will be her grandsons, Derek Whitman, Clayton (Clay) Troutman and Isaac Suire, her grandsons-in-law, Michael Moore, JR. and Steven Ory, and her Godson Nicholas Conner. Honorary Pallbearers will be her grandsons Dylan Suire, and Preston (Trey) Blanchard, III.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to Dr. Christopher Achee for his sincere care and compassion in the treatment of Barbara Whitman. They would also like to thank Jeff Davis Home Health and Louisiana Hospice for the care provided during her final days.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Miguez Funeral Home in Jennings, LA.