St. George, Utah - Barbara Joan Houtchens passed away June 6, 2012. She was born on May 9, 1937 in Los Angeles, California. She was the middle child of two sisters, Helen Baker Howard and Betty Baker Bergren. Barbara grew up and graduated High School in Fallon, Nevada. After graduation, Barbara married Harley O'Neal Matthews who was serving in the U.S. Air Force in Fallon, NV. They later moved to Arizona where she had her daughter, Royce Victoria Matthews-Gomez, the first of her two children. Later she would visit her family in Fallon where Douglas O'Neal Matthews was born.

Barbara has two grandchildren, Jessica Joan Matthews-Painter and Zachary James-Lee Cox from her daughter Royce and several more from her husband Burnice Lee Houtchens's daughter and son. Those boys are: Jason and Eric Wilson, Victor Wagner and Matthew Houtchens.

When Barbara met Lee in Las Vegas, he was the manager and she was the night auditor for the Mint Hotel. Barbara married Lee and in 1972 and were sealed for time and all eternity in the West Jordon LDS Temple in 1991. Lee was her eternal companion and sweetheart and passed away in 2007. They had a wonderful marriage and loved each other dearly.

Barbara served as a Relief Society President and Counselor for nearly six years. She loved this service deeply and had many wonderful experiences and met many exceptional women during her service.

Barbara was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 after having had quit smoking some 35 years earlier. She fought a tough battle, showing great courage, faith, determination and humor all the way.

Her favorite times were spent with her grandchildren and her three great-grandchildren: Emi, Aidan and Liam Painter and especially enjoyed the Saturdays they would spend going to yard sales together along with their great-uncle Doug and Aunt Abigayle Matthews. Barbara adored her newest great-grand children, Liberty and Lincoln Wilson brought to her by Jason and Amber Wilson and only wished she could have spent more time cuddling with them, she loved all her babies so much.

The countless family and friends whose lives she touched in so many ways will always remember mom, aunt, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend, Barbara for her effervescent, joyful and bouncy personality.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 11, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bloomington LDS Ward Chapel, 3381 South Mulberry Drive, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Monday, prior to services, at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will follow at Tonaquint Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.