Barbara

Barbara WhelanBarbara Ann Fonner Whelan, 79, Elder Mountain, Tenn., passed away Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, peacefully in a local hospital with family by her side.Barbara never thought of herself as a strong, independent person so after her husbands passing, she thought it necessary to move out from the comfort of family and try living alone. At the age of 72, she did and proved her independence to all and especially herself.Barbara was a funny, strong, friendly, beautiful, caring, giving, loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She was also a fighter!! She was brave and had the determination of spirit. During her life, she showed her daughters how to be all of the above and the importance of being great Moms.Barbara was reunited in passing with her "King", Raymond J. Whelan. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Sgt. William "Billy" Charles Fonner, 187th Airborne (died S. Korea 1951).Those left to cherish her memory and quite frankly laugh about her life experiences are her three daughters and their families, Ann Marie Obrikat, Charlotte, N.C., Susan and Michael Prostko, M.D., Chattanooga, and Posie and Fred Kampe, Boynton Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Heather and Nathan Johnson, Waxhaw, N.C., Brandon and Courtney Sullivan, Duluth, Ga.; Emma Rose Prostko, Christopher Raymond Kampe; great-grandchildren, Hadley May Johnson and Nina Marie Sullivan; siblings, John R. Fonner, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., and Kathleen Holstein, of Burnsville, N.C.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.Barbara asked that no public services be held. The family will celebrate her life privately.Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road.