Barbara DeSpain passed away April 26, 2026, and was born Nov. 4, 1932, in Bakersfield, Calif., to James and Ora Hendricks.
At age 14, she moved to Holbrook, where she has resided ever since. In high school, she met and later married George E. “Teen” DeSpain.
During those years, she took part in various activities including 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, and the sports activities of her sons, mostly wrestling. For recreation, the family went on hunting, camping and boating trips with water-skiing. She worked in the title company business and later for the office of the Navajo County Assessor for almost 20 years.
Her civic affairs included years in the Holbrook P&Z, the Community Counseling Center and the Petrified Forest Museum Association. Also, during that time, she and her husband each obtained their private pilot licenses and flew their own plane. They built a modest cabin in the mountains near Show Low for use as a family retreat.
She is survived by her children, Bill and Marlene; and grandchildren, Chad, Jodie, Brandon, Shani, Damon, Brie, Whitney, Grady, Levi and Brennon.
She was preceded in death by her husband, “Teen”; and son, John.
