Barbara (Jo) Bentz Bacon died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Barbara was born on June 20, 1943, in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Herman John (Joe) and Emma Lee Hays Bentz. Barbara was an honor graduate of Hot Springs High School in 1961. She earned her degree from Southern State College in Magnolia and Henderson State College in Arkadelphia in Home Economics/Early Childhood Education. She used this education to foster the growth and education of over 1,000 pre-school children over many decades through her creation and passion, Barbara's Preschool. Barbara had a gift for hospitality, every year buying numerous graduation gifts for her previous preschoolers upon their high school graduation. Barbara loved cooking and hosting, gathering family, singing hymns, and serving her church. She was a beauty, officially voted Miss Southern Belle during her college years and in many ways never seemed to age.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 60 years (1964), William David (Bill) Bacon, sons David (Carolyn) of Plano, Texas, John (Melissa) of Little Rock, and daughter Courtney (Ron Latina) of Malvern. Also six grandchildren: Brock Bacon of Atlanta, Georgia, Bailey Bacon of Cincinnati, Ohio, Brody Bacon of Plano, Texas, Miller Bacon of Charlottesville, Virginia, Lilliana Latina of Malvern, and Micah Schneider (Will) of Fort Pierce, Florida, a great-granddaughter Emma Schneider of Fort Pierce, Florida, sister Betty McWilliams of Stephens, Arkansas, brother Karl Bentz (Evelyn) of Ola, Arkansas, numerous nephews and nieces, and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by both parents and a brother-in-law, John McWilliams (Betty) of Stephens, Arkansas.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Southern Caregivers, specifically Lesia McLemore and Valorie Carter, as well as Betty Sanders and Dr. Dan Martin, her doctor and church friend, for caring for Barbara so lovingly.

Visitation will be at 1:00p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Camden, Arkansas with funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 17, 2025. Reverend David Stipp-Bethune and Ham Singleton will preside. Interment will follow at Tate's Bluff (Bacon Family Cemetery) at 3081 Ouachita 25 in Tate's Bluff, Arkansas. Pallbearers include Dr. Corbet Lamkin, Karl Schanzlin, Robert Reynolds, Pablo Bacon, James Bacon, Nic Pharr, and Kane Pharr.

Memorials may be made to the Bob Reynold's Building Fund (at First Presbyterian Church, Camden), or a charity of your choice.