KITCHENS, Barbara Ann (Cain) - b. October 16, 1937 - d. February 24, 2024

[patyrn]

Barbara Ann Kitchens, age 87, of Johnson City, Tennessee, passed away February 24, 2024 to be with her friends and family.  She was born in Burns, Kansas on October 16, 1937 to Thelma and Raymond Cain.

Barbara lived the last 23 years of her life in Johnson City, Tennessee.  Prior to living in Tennessee, she spent a significant portion of her life living in Kansas.  She married Bueford Gene Kitchen in 1959.  She gave birth to her first son, Carl Gene Kitchens on October 22, 1960.  Barbara graduated from St. Francis Hospital School in Nursing in Wichita, Kasnas on September 7, 1961.  After graduating nursing school, she moved to Jenks, Oklahoma and had two more children, Timothy Lee Kitchens born July 9, 1962 and Tammy Lin Kitchens born July 5, 1964.

Barbara spent the majority of her life working as a Registered Nurse in Elk County, Kansas and continued her caring nature even after retiring in 1997.  Upon retirement, Barbara moved to Biloxi, Mississippi to live with her daughter and family.  There she took care of her granddaughter, Leah Orio, who was just a year old at the time.  She moved with the family to Memphis, Tennessee 8 months after the birth of her second granddaughter, Sarena Orio.  The family then moved to Johnson City in 2001.

While living in Johnson City, Barbara became involved with Boones Creek Christian Church.  She attended the early service and Sunday School nearly every weekend and became a very active member in the church.  She became close with many people through her service and participation in Widow to Widow and the quilting group affectionately known as the "Quilting Ladies".  She loved to quilt and help others finish their heirlooms.  When she was not quilting, she enjoyed reading and staying active. 

Barbara is survived by her children, Tim Kitchens and Tammy Kitchens and her husband, Marvin Orio; her grandchildren, Devin and Savannah Fils-Aime and Leah and Sarena Orio; and her sister, Rosie Adamson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bueford Kitchens, her son, Carl Kitchens; and her parents.

There will be no services held, but the family would ask that you please raise a mug of hot chocolate, her favorite drink, in her honor.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com.  Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee 37601 is honored to serve the Kitchens family.

(taken from the Morris-Baker Funeral Home website)