Barbara Jean "Barb" Porter Dearing, 77, of Flemingsburg, passed from her earthly life on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at her home.  She was the widow of Larry Dearing.

Barb was born on October 26, 1947 to the late Clemmie Newton Porter and Mildred Louise Leet Porter Dayton. After the death of her father when she was a toddler, she and her mother lived with her grandparents, Oney & Elizabeth Allison Leet, on Mt. Tabor Road outside of Ewing.

She was a 1965 graduate of Fleming County High School where she played the clarinet in the FCHS band, was an FFA Sweetheart and a Candy Striper at Fleming County Hospital.

On March 16, 1966, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry Eugene Dearing. They were married 52 years until his passing on December 27, 2018. To that marriage, they added two daughters, Tammy Jean Dearing (Wally) Thomas of Ewing, Ky. and Shannon Renee Dearing (Marty Littleton) of Flemingsburg, Ky. They were also blessed with two granddaughters, Allie Thomas (Shane) Skeens of Ft. Drum, N.Y. and Abbie Thomas of Richmond, Ky.

Barb was a member of the Flemingsburg Christian Church where she served as a Deacon and was a member of the Disciples of Women's Ministries.  For many years, Barb was a busy stay-at-home mom and was always looking out for the likes of other kids in the neighborhood on Crest Avenue. After Tammy and Shannon left home, Barb began working at Licking Valley Community Action Program as a daycare attendant caring for infants. She then went on to work at Flemingsburg Elementary School as a Para-Educator for several years until her retirement in 2009.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by her sister, Paula (Wayne) Bruner; her brother-in-law, Kenny Dearing; her sister-in-law & friend, Ann Higgins;  her three nephews, Jerome (Brandie) Bruner, Jordan Bruner (Carrie Lewis), and Jamie (Mandy) Higgins;  her three nieces, Lisa Higgins (Jeff) Gilkerson, Kelley Dearing (Doug) Smith, and Leslie Dearing Litzler;  her four great-nephews, seven great-nieces,  four great-great nephews, three great-great nieces, along with a host of cousins.

Barb was also preceded in death by her father-in-law, Eugene Dearing, her mother-in-law, Helen Cropper Dearing, her brother-in-law, James "Henry" Higgins, and most recently her side kick sister-in-law, Marilyn Jordan Dearing.

The funeral will begin at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Flemingsburg Christian Church with Bro. Greg Grimes and Bro. Randy Fritz.

Barb will be laid to rest in the Fleming County Cemetery, joining her husband Larry.

Pallbearers include Jamie Higgins, Jerome Bruner, Jordan Bruner, Wally Thomas, Marty Littleton, Doug Smith, Shane Skeens.  Honorary pallbearers include Kenny Dearing, Ann Higgins, Paula Bruner, Wayne Bruner, Vickie Stephens, Edie Lewis, Karen Sanders, Janet Prater, Lynn Atkinson Clinkscales, Connie Hunt, Peggy Vice, Pat Manning, Pam Burke, and the recently passed, Connie Carpenter.

The family invites you for a visitation from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, March 10, at the church located at 201 East Water Street, Flemingsburg, Ky.

In place of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Barb to the Flemingsburg Christian Church Scholarship Fund, 201 East Water Street, Flemingsburg, KY 41041; Flemingsburg Christian Church DWM Blessing Box located at 201 East Water Street, Flemingsburg, KY 41041 and/or your favorite charity.

Boone-Nickell Funeral Home is caring for Barb and her family.

Friends may offer online condolences at www.boonenickellfuneralhome.com