Barbara Kearns, 76, of Huntsville, passed away Monday, August 2, 2021, after battling cancer for 25 years. Barbara was born on August 20, 1944, in Nashville, TN, the daughter of Marvin and Roberta Hooper.
After graduating from Isaac Litton High School, she pursued an engineering degree at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. She was the first female in Tennessee Tech’s engineering co-op program and the first female co-op ever at NASA in Huntsville in 1963. She learned how to use the program, Fortran. It was during that time, she met her future husband, George Kearns. Together they created a program in Fortran, which is still used by NASA today.
They married on January 21, 1967, and she transferred to the University of Alabama in Huntsville. In 1970, Barbara was part of the first graduating class at UAH.
She immersed herself in the community. She was a huge supporter of the Arts, volunteering at Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Broadway Theatre League serving as President of the Board numerous times. She was proud of the shows brought to Huntsville. She enjoyed her trips to New York to find the next show to bring to the Rocket City. She was one of the first group of volunteers for Harrison Brothers Hardware Store. She was also a member of Altrusa International for nearly 20 years serving in local offices and district secretary.
Barbara is survived by her husband, George; her two daughters, Karen Kearns White of Huntsville, and Melanie Kearns Davis and her husband, Brian of Charlotte, NC. She was proud of her four grandchildren, Connor and Kaitlyn White of Huntsville and Preston and Tyler Davis of Charlotte. She is also survived by her brother, Ronald C. Hooper and his wife, Nancy of Aiken, SC.
Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, August 5 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, immediately followed by the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory/honor of Barbara Kearns to Broadway Theatre League of Huntsville. Visit www.BroadwayTheatreLeague.org, by phone at 256-518-6155 or by mail to BTL, 700 Monroe St., Suite 410, Huntsville, AL 35801.
