<!-- FH = Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC -->Barbara de Jong WhitakerAsheville - Barbara de Jong Whitaker of Asheville died Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at her home. A native of Evansville, Indiana, she was daughter of the late Hubert and Lucille de Jong. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her daughter, Amy Kahn in 1963. After moving to Asheville in 1956, Barbara was a very successful business entrepreneur. She was a very active volunteer with many civic organizations, volunteering with the Better Business Bureau, served on the UNCA Foundation Board and received a lifetime membership to the St. Joseph Hospital Guild for being the chairperson of the Pink Gavel Auction which raised substantial donations. She was a member of Asheville Garden Club, founding member and former (two year) president of the Asheville Altrusa Businesswomen's club, a member of Women's Economic Development Advisory Council for the state of North Carolina and she earned the Civitan International Medallion for 25 years of dedicated service. Barbara was active in citizenship voting efforts, was an experienced mediator in the local court system and was a Score Consular in the Service Core of retired executives. She was a member of the Sisterhood of Beth HaTephila where she had served as a volunteer Sunday school teacher. A fierce supporter of Bulldog basketball, Barbara enjoyed art, travel, aerobics, tennis, friends and family.She is survived by her husband, Donald Whitaker; daughters, Tracy Hawkins of Atlanta, GA and Gail Stakes and her husband, Daniel Tinker of Laramie, Wyoming; two grandchildren, Trent and Lea Hawkins and her sister, Ann Nolan and her husband, Richard of Hendersonville.A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, August 8, 2011 at Congregation Beth HaTephila with Rabbi Batsheva Meiri officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent through the website www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com