Barbara Fuller, age 81, of Manhattan, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Meadowlark Hills. She was born on February 1, 1944, in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Warren and Luvenia Hawkins.
Barbara was a proud resident of Kentucky for many years before moving to Nebraska, then returning to Kentucky, and ultimately settling in Manhattan, Kansas, to live with her son and his husband. While home was in many places, she would never let you forget her southern charm. The way she said, “hey baby,” in a slight, sweet, southern accent, told you all you needed to know about her. She would never leave the house without a spray of her perfume.
She never met a stranger. Barbara made friends wherever she went. Going to the grocery store could take hours because she would talk to everyone; she loved hearing people’s stories. There are too many people to list who considered her mom, though she only had one child of her own, whom she loved very much.
Barbara worked in various jobs throughout her life, including a real estate agent, an elementary school and special education teacher’s aide, and a hotel front desk manager. None of those jobs defined who she was or what she cared about. She worked when she had to, to support what she loved, her family, and her church.
Her second husband, Junior Leroy Epping, passed away in 1991, leaving her to raise a child by herself. She did what she had to, and at 54 years old, she graduated from college with an associate's degree in accounting and business management to be able to support her family.
Barbara loved to read; her Steven King collection was astounding. Gospel music filled her home. She loved to embroider until her hands would no longer let her.
She was warm, kind, a little sassy, and lived an unapologetic life. Barbara was a devout woman of God. The last part of her life was full of chronic pain. Now she is home with the Lord and her one true love, and pain-free.
Barbara is survived by her son, Darren (Israel) Epping-Fuentes; two sisters, Robin (Phillip) Crump and Betty (Tracy) Nieser; her brother Raymond (Bonnie) Hawkins; and many nieces and nephews.
Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, is assisting the family with arrangements.