Barbara Timlake Crain joined her family and friends in eternity after undergoing emergency open heart surgery on May 4, 2024. She was a remarkable woman whose kind and gentle spirit touched many lives during her 84 years. She lived life to its fullest, had a strong faith, and enjoyed spending time in her home with her family and pets.

Barbara was the youngest of three children born to Tracy and Marjorie Timlake on September 11, 1939 in Corinth, MS. She spent her early years in her native Mississippi exploring nature, attending church camps, and was a devoted Girl Scout. In high school, Barbara was a majorette, band member, and was on the homecoming court in 1957.

In the mid-1950’s, her father moved the family to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she quickly made friends. She attended the local high school and began college at Nevada Southern, later to become the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She completed her two years at UNLV, and received her B.S. degree in Education from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1961. In college Barbara was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and was homecoming queen. It was at University of Nevada, Reno where Barbara first met John (Rusty) Crain, and one year later they were married and began life together in Three Rivers, CA. They raised two beautiful daughters, Holly Peltzer and Leeanne Crain.

Barbara spent her early married life teaching in Three Rivers, Exeter, and Lindsay. She was active in the community and was always ready to lend assistance to the many who were elderly or lived alone. Her family dining table would often include singles whose families lived away.

She, along with many friends and family, spent years maintaining a volunteer ambulance service for the community of Three Rivers. She took pride in the history of the Community Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon, Elder, and Sunday School teacher. She was a charter member of the Three Rivers Historical Society, and also a member of the Three Rivers Woman’s Club, Three Rivers Lions Club “Lady Lions”, Tulare County Historical Society and Tulare County Panhellenic Association. Barbara’s generosity is further illustrated by giving the “gift of life” through the donation of her organs and tissues (www.donornetworkwest.org).

In 2006, Barbara moved to Visalia, CA. She became an active member of the First Presbyterian Church before starting to attend GateWay Church in more recent years. She hosted Bible studies in her home and was supportive of the senior ministry “Ventures”, a small group who met weekly in members’ homes and enjoyed stuffing bulletins for the weekly services.

Barbara is survived by her brother Paul Timake and wife Lynn, daughter Holly Peltzer and husband Jonathan, daughter Leeanne Crain and partner Beth Watson, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Anthony Retreat in Three Rivers on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. At her request in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Visalia Rescue Mission (visaliarescuemission.org) or Valley Oak SPCA (vospca.org), with the hope that many will have a chance for life.

[SOURCE: Family