Born on October 9, 1952 in Cairo, IL, Barbara was a Registered Nursing Instructor at Murray State University. She was a member of the American Nurses Association, Kentucky Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the American Association of University Professors. Dr. Kearney was also an Honorary Kentucky Colonel and an active K9 Citizenship Instructor at the Calloway County Humane Society.
Dr. Kearney was a graduate of Southeastern Illinois College and Indiana State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. She served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. After serving in Germany, Dr. Kearney returned to Indiana State University and received a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and earned her Master's degree and Doctorate in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Kearney also owned and operated her own upholstery business.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Elmo Kearney and Ruby Pretzsch Kearney and two brothers, Patrick James Kearney and Christopher Matthew Kearney.
Dr. Kearney is survived by her spouse, Karen Hartman of Murray; two brothers, Richard Dale Kearney (Barbara Ann) of Carmi, IL and Paul Joseph Kearney (Deborah) of Addis, LA and a sister, Mary Christine Haley (Brett) of Carmi, IL.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Monday, November 16, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church in Murray. Reverends Linda Frische-Mouri and Renee Meyer will officiate.
The family will receive visitors between 5:00 - 8:00 PM on Sunday, November 15 at the Heritage Chapel of the Imes Funeral Home, 121 Bypass, Murray.
Expressions of sympathy make take the form of donations to the Humane Society of Calloway County.
Online condolences available at www.imesfh.com