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Birth
Born to LaVerne Womack in Longview, TX
(father unnamed for personal reasons) -
Adopted
Adopted by grandmother, Ruby Ellen VanHouten, and grandfather, Edward VanHouten. Moved into their home in Des Arc, AR. -
Salvation
At the age of 11, Barbie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Morris Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Des Arc, AR. -
Baptism
At the age of 13, Barbie made the decision to be baptized and become a member of Morris Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. She would attend this church until 1990. -
First Job
Started working as a part time waitress at White River Diner in Des Arc, AR -
First Date
After starting her first job, Barbara, better known as Barbie, went on her first date with a boy from school. His name was Pat Collins. -
High School Graduation
Graduated from Des Arc High School with a 4.0 GPA. -
College
Started college at Arkansas State University in Beebe, AR with plans to become a Music Teacher. -
Left College
For reasons undisclosed, Barbie left college and entered the workforce as a secretary at Riceland Foods in Stuttgart, AR. -
Her Own Place
After finding a job, Barbie got her own place. It was her first time living alone. -
Love at First Sight...or Not
At a sandbar on the Arkansas River, Barbie was introduced to the man who would soon become her husband. She admits today that she was not immediately attracted to him; however, as time passed she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. -
Homeowners
Shortly after their marriage, Barbie and Danny bought their first home together in the town Danny grew up in. -
Happily Ever After
On a hot summer day in the church she grew up in, Barbie married Daniel Mason Brown of Humphrey, AR. -
First Child
After 10 years of trying to conceive, Barbie gave birth to her first child, Scarlett Ellen Brown, at Jefferson Regional Hospital in Pine Bluff, AR. -
Second Child
Two and a half short years later, Barbie gave birth once again to another daughter, Alexandria Reece Brown, at Jefferson Regional Hospital in Pine Bluff, AR. Alexandria's birth was a scheduled C-section. -
A Pleasant Addition
Barbie became the sole caretaker of her niece, Aimee LeeAnn Gibson. Aimee was 24 years old at the time, and was mentally disabled by cerebral palsy. -
A New Home
Following the addition of a family member, Barbie and her husband purchased a new home that would better accommodate their family. -
A New Church
Barbie joined Humphrey Baptist Church along with her husband just before the graduation of their second child. After 29 years of marriage, this was the first church the couple attended together. -
The Perfect Job
Her nest was empty following her second daughter's high school graduation, so Barbie decided to get a job. She always loved flea market shopping and antiques, and was delighted to find a job working at Annette's Antiques and Treasures in Stuttgart, AR