Greer Baber Grace

Greer Baber Grace, 72, of Naples, Florida passed away August 31, 2025. She was born June 14, 1953 in AR to the late John Clement Baber, Jr., M.D. and Barbara Woods Baber.

She was preceded in death by her father John C. Baber, M.D. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Barnett Grace, her mother, Barbara Baber of Little Rock, AR; children Chris Grace and Philip Grace (Melanie) of Little Rock, AR, Charles Baber Grace (Melanie) of Springdale, AR, ; grandchildren Garrett Philip Grace and Anna Murphy Grace of Fayetteville, AR, Charles Bennett Grace of Springdale, AR; brothers Tyler Baber, M.D. (Eden) of Little Rock, AR and Bill Baber, M.D. (Donna) of Chesterfield, MO; nieces, nephews and family members, John Tyler Baber, M.D. of Los Angeles, CA, Abigail Baber Rust of Dallas, TX, Katherine Fezzi of Twin Oaks, MO, William Baber of Summerville, SC, Chip Grace of Batesville, AR, Candi Grace of Little Rock, AR, Rob Grace and Mollie Grace of Batesville, AR.

Greer received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Hendrix College and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

She began her working career at Doctors Hospital before joining Commercial National Bank of Little Rock. Later she worked as a computer consultant for banks and then joined her mother at Barbara Jean Ltd. After a few years working there she purchased the business from her mother and later sold it to Christine Bailey. Christine later sold it to Tiffany Robinson. Greer loved the people who worked at Barbara Jean and all of its customers. It was a happy part of her life.

Memories from family and friends (only excerpts):

One of her Healdsburg friends, a walking buddy, remembers a particularly touching example of Greer's compassion and goodness. After she confided to Greer that her husband had been diagnosed with ALS, Greer hiked from her home to the very top of Fitch Mountain, a prominent Healdsburg landmark, and back in a heartfelt show of solidarity, friendship, and caring.

We can't think of our friend Greer without remembering the planner that she was. Whether reserving places at favorite restaurants six months ahead, booking their favorite suite at the Gasparilla Inn for next year's special occasion, or lining up visits with Little Rock friends as soon as the next trip was on the calendar, Greer liked to have a plan. "She made life bigger, better, and more fun. She gave us something to look forward to. She made every day memorable and she took us along with her." Greer confided that she was happiest when she was giving to others and thrived on helping in her community.

Family was vitally important. Greer was devoted to her mother as she had been to her father during his lifetime.

According to one dear friend, annual trips to Miraval with Barbara and Greer "changed our lives while we grew our minds, bodies, and spirits".

For Charles, Greer had "a deep mother's love". His wife Melanie became her good friend: she was so grateful that Charles had found such an ideal life partner and thankful for their loving hospitality when she stayed in their home. Ben is "the most beautiful, perfect baby ever", and Greer relished every moment she spent with him. Speaking of grandchildren, Greer loved playing a part in the lives of Philip's and Melanie's twins Garrett and Anna. (Yes, Greer and Barnett have two precious daughters-in-law named Melanie.) Anna has "amazing memories with Nonnie and Papa all over the world as they were doing all they could to show us life in all places". We "learned so many valuable lessons" and had great fun together. Tellingly, favorite nights were grandparents and kid night when the four of them had dinner together and then watched a movie that the children had chosen. Anna treasures Nonnie's thoughtful recent gift of beautiful diamond earrings, given to Nonnie years ago by Papa. Melanie agrees that Greer was "an awesome Nonnie" and is so thankful for all of the happy family experiences. In addition to marvelous traveling adventures filled with fun, she and Greer loved to look at houses and shared a love of clothes, wine, and traveling. Grandson Garret was always excited when he got to be with Nonnie and Papa. He knew that he was either going to eat Nonnie's super good homemade pasta or be leaving on a fun trip. "Nonnie was always so kind to us and was a great grandmother. She gave a "killer back massage". It was worth battling allergy flare ups caused by Ashy the cat in order to be at Nonnie and Papa's on Christmas Eve when they all tracked Santa's approach. "No matter where we were with Nonnie, it was always a good time with good food. I will miss her a lot. I wish I could thank her and tell her how much I loved having the privilege to be her grandson."

Niece Katherine notes that Greer was "incredibly committed to her family and those she loved". And once committed, "she followed through". She cared deeply and it showed. My brother and Charles and I are closer due to her nurturing and because of the extra time we spent together on the trips she planned. "As my daddy's big sister, she always looked out for him too." Niece Abigail considered Greer to be the "Cool Aunt" and "admired her positivity, business acumen, and zest for life"; she was the glue that kept our wide-spread family connected. She coordinated gatherings, celebrated our birthdays, and reminded us of the importance of staying close. Somehow she knew when I was going through a tough time and never failed to reach out to encourage me and remind me that I was never alone. Nephew Dr. John Baber, a vascular surgeon, in Los Angeles loved his aunt so much that he demonstrated sacrificial love by giving up a three day weekend with his wife and son to drive 7 hours to Healdsburg to help interpret the medical assessment of local Doctors. He offered much appreciated comfort to those gathered by Greer’s side.

Greer had great depth and curiosity. Her curiosity extended to national and world affairs. Before voting, she really tried to know and understand the differences in the US political parties and their candidates. Fiercely independent in this realm too, she was determined to make up her own mind and not be swayed by what others thought - no matter how much she loved them.

Greer tended faithfully to her spiritual life. She sought to deepen and strengthen her Christian faith by developing a personal relationship with God through prayer and daily reflection. A friend from their early days as working girls remembers Greer's curiosity about the custom of lighting a candle and saying a prayer. Greer adopted this custom too and expressed her love for her friend by lighting a candle wherever she traveled and letting her know that "I lit a candle and said a prayer for you today."

Love, family, faith, beauty, loyalty, service, kindness, thoughtfulness - the essence of our beloved Greer. "Her joie de vivre — her laugh, her smile, her generosity, and her spirit made her truly one of a kind." Oh, how we will miss her.

Compiled by Diane Allen from messages sent from family members and friends of Greer.

Greer has been the very dearest friend for over 30 years. We first became good friends when we were pregnant together with our two boys, Saer and Charles. Life took off from there with play groups, scout troops (Greer wearing the Scout Master full uniform), soccer games, weekends at the lake jumping off the roof of the party barge at midnight under a bright moonlit sky. Happy times continued, visiting with the Graces in Cap T'Antibes where they opened their home to our entire family, Fluffy the Beanie Baby and all. We spent our days floating in the sea, (with the little boys mesmerized by the swimming attire worn by the French women, or lack thereof), traveling to local Markets and preparing some wonderful farm-to-table meals outside under the trees! The Grace's love of travel was so great, that they took their son around the world for a school semester to get a hands-on education visiting far-away countries. Greer was so full of love for Charles. I remember bumping into her in the street on a morning walk and seeing her eyes brim with the clearest, brightest tears I've ever seen. Charles was leaving home and the nest would be empty. We met up, again, with the Graces in Arezzo, Italy where they introduced us to the Academia Dell’Arte, a school started by their friend’s son, Scott McGee. The Graces helped fund the school to bring back the ancient Comedia dell'Arte practice. Typically supportive, the Graces included all of their friends to visit and help bring the Academy along. Bobby and I, then, were fortunate enough to visit Greer and Barnett in the other most beautiful part of the world - the Sonoma wine country. We enjoyed visits to Healdsburg, CA, where we danced in the town square to local music, toured bountiful wineries and visited amazing local restaurants. Barnett and Greer then discovered Naples, FL, another beautiful spot they learned to call home, where they enjoyed long days of golf and evenings spent sharing fine dinners with friends at The Audubon Club. Greer was everyone's support, their cheerleader, their gentle teacher. To borrow the words of another of her dear friends, Greer was the great “connector” of people. She was so interesting, always reading inspiring books, practicing yoga and meditation, discovering wonderful wines and always enjoying a healthy and fresh organic delicacy. She was her mother’s daughter in so many ways — a person who loved to continue learning and exploring.Most of all, Greer has had Barnett by her side on this wonderful, exciting fulfilling life journey — her constant companion and her true love.It still has not all sunk in that I can’t talk to her. Greer was an angel on earth and will now be our angel in heaven. In honor of her, I’m going to try harder to emulate everything she so wisely embraced…, kindness, calmness, discipline, creativity and, most of all, friendship.Kathleen and Bobby

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on September 12, 2025, at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church (4823 Woodlawn Drive). For those unable to attend, the service will be streamed at www.phumc.com. A reception will follow at the Little Rock Country Club, 4200 Country Club Blvd, Little Rock.

Memorials to honor Greer's life may be made to: Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Little Rock, Healdsburg Community Church Healdsburg, CA, or First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, FL.

Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114. 501-758-1170.