Memphis
Funeral Home
Memorial Park Funeral Home
Visitation
The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, April 12 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119.
Service
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, April 13 at 11:00 a.m. at the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Dr. Memphis, TN, 38119.
The burial will take place at a later time at Arlington National Cemetery.
Obituary
https://www.memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com/obituaries/Barbara-Ann-Mcgrath/#!/Obituary
Colonel Barbara Ann Keller McGrath, (USAF Ret), age 82, went to her heavenly home on March 27, 2021. She was born February 17, 1939 to her late parents, John and Frankie Keller of Alto, TN.
She is survived by her husband, William McGrath of Memphis, TN; sisters Sue Tucker Watson of Winchester, TN; Jan (Keith) Turner of Memphis, TN; Deborah Keller of Memphis, TN and Bonnie Carter of Suwanee, GA; stepchildren Ann Fant of Johns Creek, GA; Kathy Crittendon of Memphis, TN; numerous step grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by step children, William McGrath, Jr and Virginia Davis; brothers in law, Roy Watson and Stephen Carter; step-son, Danny Crittendon; and nephew John Tucker.
Barbara was loved by many friends and family as she never met a stranger, even throughout her worldwide travels. She graced this world with her many talents, generous spirit and caring heart. She shared her mother’s love of flowers and green thumb. She enjoyed cooking and planning special events for family and friends.
She was a graduate of Franklin County HS in Winchester, TN, class of 1957. She received her diploma in nursing from Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, TN, class of 1960. She attained a Bachelor of Science of Hospital Administration from Saint Joseph’s Hospital, class of 1989 in Standish, Maine. She entered military training flight school at Brooks AFB in 1965 at rank of 1st Lieutenant.
Barbara had an extensive professional and military career as a Registered Nurse and Emergency Nurse Practitioner marked by numerous awards and recognition. She was a veteran flight nurse during the Vietnam War and Desert Shield serving in the 155 unit Tennessee Air National Guard and 183 Air Evacuation Squadron of Mississippi Air National Guard. Her esteemed career culminated with positions of Regional Director of Nursing Emergency Services for Baptist Memorial Hospital Corporate Systems, serving in Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Tennessee; Consultant for Volunteer Hospital of America Management Company assisting in preparation for accreditation; and Hospital Commander of 183 Wing, Jackson, Mississippi ANG. She logged over 3000 flight hours in numerous aircraft and was the first female to be elected as officer in Military Order of World Wars, Memphis Chapter.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, April 12 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119.
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, April 13 at 11:00 a.m. at the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Dr. Memphis, TN, 38119.
The burial will take place at a later time at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.