Barbara Ruth Whittier

The beautiful lady pictured above passed away peacefully and comfortably in a deep sleep on Monday, June 20, 2022. Barbara R. Whittier celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 4, 2021. She , Barbara R. Whittier, became ill on April 21, 2022 and entered in-home hospice care on May 16, 2022. Barbara was blessed in many ways with a long and fruitful life, admired and cherished by everyone who was privileged and blessed to know her. She was passionate about playing cards, especially bridge. During her many years living in the Pt. Loma suburb of San Diego she played bridge twice per week with neighborhood friends; and both groups continued to play bridge with Barbara even after she moved to Del Mar. Her surviving daughter, Marilyn Sue Cook, suffered a horrific car accident in 1984; shortly after the automobile accident, Barbara and her husband, Walter Whittier, sold their home in Del Mar and moved to the Vista Del Mar Seniors Community in Vista, CA -- in order to be less than 5 miles from her daughter's home in the Shadowridge neighborhood of Vista.

Barbara R. Whittier was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Walter W. Whittier. Walter died in 2012 less than one month before his 98th birthday. Barbara was also preceded in death by her oldest child, Milon G. Edwards III. Milon died on June 15, 2018. Barbara had three children(Milon, Patrick, and Marilyn)from her first husband, Milon G. Edwards Jr. and two step children, Paul Whittier (deceased) and Warren Whittier (surviving) of Port Angeles, WA .) Barbara's son, Patrick A. Edwards was privileged and blessed to live with Barbara in her Vista home for the last four years of Barbara's life. Patrick moved in with Barbara to help her recover from a bad fall in 2018 that resulted in a broken right hip, broken right wrist, and broken right little finger. Quite simply put, all of the doctors who knew Barbara were absolutely amazed when Barbara at the age of 97 recovered fully from her fall in less than three months; and Patrick became her unnecessary caregiver, with Patrick continuing to live with Barbara as her friend, and companion -- and occasionally even her fellow bridge partner; although Barbara was always a better bridge player than Patrick. :):):):):)


This obituary mentions blessings more than once because Barbara was a devout Christian. Barbara was born in Joplin, MO on Oct. 4, 1921. Her father, Arnold George Cofer was an Elder of First Baptist Church in Joplin, and her mother, Ruth Adele Cofer, was Secretary of First Baptist Church for more than thirty years. Barbara was baptised by Reverend Pugh at the age of 9 in the babtismal sanctuary of First Baptist Church. All three of Barbara's children (Milon, Patrick, and Marilyn) were also baptised by Reverend Pugh at First Baptist Church. Among the many blessings afforded to Barbara's long and healthy life was a special gift from God and her savior, Jesus Christ. Barbara's special gift was the gift of 100% Unconditional Love; a gift that allowed her to forgive and forget always the wrong doings and mistakes made by many family members over the many years of Barbara's adult life. Barbara did not dwell in the past; she lived vibrantly in the present, with amazing mental and physical health. Barbara's mental health continued her entire life until one day before her death on June 20, 2022.

In addition to Patrick and Warren, Barbara is survived by her daughter, Marilyn, now living in Gulf Breeze, Fl. Barbara has five surviving grandchildren: Alison Esther Edwards (Cincinnati, OH), Akiria Hunter (Charlotte, NC), Teresa Cook (Valley Center, CA), Gregory Cook Jr. (Gulf Breeze, FL), Natalie Powers (Gulf Breeze, FL.), and one step grandson, Wesly Whittier. Barbara is also survived by eight great grandchildren and one step great grandson.

Barbara is also survived by a nephew and niece; both of whom she was especially fond of and close to: Cathy Cofer Smith (Leavenworth, KS) and Kevin Cofer (Houston, TX) are the children of Barbara's beloved brother, Bruce Cofer (deceased) and Bruce's wife, Linda Cofer (deceased.)


There will be no funeral services in California or Missouri. Barbara will be laid to rest next to her father and mother in a Cofer Family plot in Ozark Memorial Cemetery in Joplin, MO. The casket will be sealed; subsequently there will be no private or public viewing in Missouri. There will be a brief graveside ceremony attended by some family members on the day of Barbara's burial.


In accordance with wishes requested in Barbara's Last Will and Testament, the family requests that in lieu of flowers or condolence gifts, a charitable donation in her honor (Barbara R. Whittier) can be made to the Salvation Army (the most important charity of the several charities that Barbara supported her entire adult life.)




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