BARBARA MARIE HEIM YADA,
passed away October 30, 2021, after a valiant battle with brain cancer. She was born in Little Rock, Ark., on September 13, 1944. Barbara was a devout Catholic who was a faithful servant of the Lord for 77 years. She attended Mount St. Mary Academy and graduated in 1962 where she formed lifelong friendships with her “Sisterhood” group of friends (Linda Zionce, Barbara Althoff, Bobbie McKenzie and Julia Baldwin), who visited her weekly during her illness. She loved sharing the MSM traditions with her three daughters and two granddaughters. Barbara married the love of her life, Richard Yada, in 1965. She loved him with all her heart and fought her cancer battle with all her might so she could be here a little longer with him. Together, they traveled the world and experienced a lifetime of memories with their dear travel friends. Family was treasured by Barbara as she was the beloved mother of three daughters. She was all in for all their activities and made sure her “girls” were where they were supposed to be throughout their childhood. She was a volunteer at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School, and Christ the King Catholic Church.
Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents, Leonard and Gladys Heim and in-laws, Sam and Haruye Yada. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, her sister, Mary Adelia Heim, of Memphis, Tenn.; and daughters, Karen Yada Mills of Fort Smith, Kathy Patton (David) and Kay Shields (David) of Little Rock. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Emily Mills, Joseph Mills, Shelby Shields, Mary Agnes Shields, and Tripp Patton.
Funeral arrangements are as follows: Visitation, Thursday, November 4, from 6–7 p.m., with Rosary to follow at 7 p.m, at Christ the King Catholic Church, and Mass of Christian Burial also at Christ the King Catholic Church Friday, November 5, at 10:30 a.m., with columbarium interment at a later date. To honor Barbara’s memory, donations may be made to Msgr. Hebert Endowment Fund Christ the King Catholic School, 4002 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, Ark., 72212, and Mount St. Mary Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, Ark., 72205. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com