Barbara Haralson

Barbara Lee Haralson was born in Van Nuys, California on October 9, 1948 to John and Della Horton. On February 24, 2015 she passed into the loving arms of Jesus in Tucson, Arizona. Barbara worked as the General Manager at Safford Valley Cotton Co-op until her retirement and was a member of the National Cotton Council and a past president of Arizona Cotton Ginners Association. She was active in many different organizations including Business and Professional Womens (BPW) Foundation and was a past State President and received the Woman of the Year award 1994-1995. She was very involved in the Rotary Club International, recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow recognition medallion and past local president. She was also a recipient of the Pride of Safford Award. Barbara was a very active member of the community that touched many lives and helped bring numerous wonderful programs to life that benefited others through her dedication and love for her community. She constantly worked to improve her community including the Safe House project, Boys and Girls Club, Helping Hands for Graham County, and many more. She also was an active member of the Emmaus Community; and participated in many mission trips to Mexico with Amor Missions. The last few years of her life she loved working in the community garden and Our Neighbors Pantry which provides much needed food for the community. In April of 2014 she was consecrated as a Deaconess in The United Methodist Church, which was one of her proudest moments. Family was a very important part of Barbaras life, and she gave all of herself to her loved ones and church family. She is survived by the love her life, Steven Haralson (Safford), and her children Holly Schultz (Brian) of Surprise, AZ, and Sam Haralson (Amanda) of Sierra Vista, AZ. She is also survived by her three siblings Gary Horton (Jan) of Reno, NV, Marsha Horton (Annette) of Mesa, AZ, and Diane Maley (Denny) of Encinitas, CA. She had two Step-siblings Dixie Shurson (Bob) of Phoenix, AZ, and Terry Crocker of Phoenix, AZ. She had a very special bond with her grandchildren, Kristen McCoy (Kevin) of Lavine, AZ, Trenton Haralson of Safford, AZ, and Nicolle Haralson of Sierra Vista, AZ. Barbara was also blessed to be a GG (Great-Grandma) to Bella and Zach McCoy. She was preceded in death for a joyous reunion in heaven by her father John Horton, her mother Della Crocker, and her Step-father Burt Crocker and Ashley Rose Haralson. A Viewing for Barbara will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church with the funeral service beginning at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Bob Gilfert conducting. One of the places that Barbara always felt closest to God was when she spent time at the beach. Everyone who knew Barbara knew that she loved her Lord with all her heart, and she was always trusting Jesus.