BELLA VISTA — Melissa Jane Barker Lininger,

53, passed away March 31, 2021. She was born April 9, 1967, in Fayetteville, Ark., to William “Buddy” and Judy Barker.

She married her loving husband Marc Lininger in June 1990.

Loved ones who preceded her in parting this world include her mother, Judy Kay Nickell Barker, maternal grandparents Howard Austin Nickell and Blanche Irene Sandlin and paternal grandparents William Hobart Barker and Teelie Jane Faubus.

She graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1985 after a noteworthy athletic career as a leader on both the varsity basketball and softball teams.

She was an exceptional businesswoman, opening her own hair salon at 19 before serving as a general manager for over 20 years and then transitioning to another career as the owner of a boat and yacht restoration company in the mid-2000s.

Melissa loved to be on the water and to travel. If you couldn’t find her on a lake in the Ozarks, she was probably somewhere in the Caribbean on a beach. When she was home in Arkansas, she enjoyed golfing around Bella Vista, ‘Diva Night’ on Wednesdays with her girlfriends, and family gatherings on Sundays.

She was also a collector of unique pieces of art throughout her life. Above all, Melissa had a big heart and a sunny disposition. She could make a friend out of anyone, and people were naturally drawn to her. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the hearts of her husband, children, and extended family.

She is survived by husband Marcus Weston Lininger of Bella Vista, Ark.; father William “Buddy” Barker; son and daughter-in-law Weston and Brittany Lininger and grandson Archer of Bella Vista, Ark.; daughter Bethanie Edwards, Ph.D., of Berkeley, Calif.; sister Dena McCleland and brother-in-law Jeff McCleland of San Antonio, Texas; niece Chasten Rowland and grand-niece Alice Marie Day of Gulfport, Miss.; niece Samantha Luther, M.Ed., of Stilwell, Okla.; and her sweet fur-babies Saylor and Stella.

The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at Beard’s Chapel.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 8, 2021, at Beard’s Chapel with Pastor Paul Hoss officiating. Interment will follow in Nickell Cemetery in Durham, Ark. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com .