Barbara Arlene Fagan

Barbara Arlene Fagan, 78, of Forsyth, died at home Friday, September 28, 2018.

She was born in Holden, Missouri on January 20, 1940, the daughter of Frankie Eugene & Lillian Arleene (Crayton) Gardner.  She was raised in rural Missouri with family and neighbors that lived by farming and hunting.  Her dad was a crack shot and avid sportsman.  As the oldest child, she sometimes got to go along.  Her childhood gave her an early interest in nature and wildlife.  She had an extensive knowledge of plants and loved to work in her garden.  Barbara worked for Hallmark Cards in their art department in Kansas City where she further developed her artistic ability.

She is survived by her three daughters, Susan Burke of Forsyth, MO, Roberta Ciccarelli of Dry Creek, LA, and Catherine Brundage of Brighton, MO, from her first marriage to Robert Ashby.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Sharon Gardner of Montreal, MO, and two step-sons, Dan & Dave Fagan of Kansas City, MO.

She later married Phillip Claussen and lived in Denver, Colorado.  She moved to Branson in 1981 where she was privileged to be President of the Branson Art Guild.  She enjoyed painting what she saw around her, on anything that would hold still, such as milk cans, saw blades and kitchen items.  She especially enjoyed painting on rocks.  Her paintings were known for their detail and she enjoyed using the rock contours to give “shape” to her paintings. 

Moving to Hollister, she married William E. Fagan in 1983.  He preceded her in death after seven happy years of marriage.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Jim Gardner and sister, Betty Webster.

Barbara was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on June 15, 1991 and was always faithful in carrying out her ministry and sharing what she had learned with others.

She moved to Forsyth in October of 2017 to live with her daughter, Susan.  Barbara was generous and caring, with a wry sense of humor and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 13th at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 13211 East Hwy 76, Forsyth, Missouri, with Earl Cobb officiating.

Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, Branson, MO.

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