Barbara J. Houk, 57, of Harmony Baptist Road, passed away the morning of March 28, 2011, at her residence after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.Born February 6, 1954, in New Castle, she was the daughter of Clifford and Violet Irene Braithwaite Smith. She married Willard H. Houk, Jr. on August 29, 1981. He survives. Barbara worked at the Calgon Corporation in Ellwood City as a secretary for fourteen years until leaving to raise her family. She was a devoted and loving homemaker, who loved to spend time with her family. She was lovingly referred to as "Be Bop" by her family. For the past ten years, she was employed by the Shenango High School serving in the cafeteria as a cashier. She worked the election board and enjoyed gardening. Barbara was a member of Castlewood Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, where she was very involved. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and served as the missionary treasurer.In addition to her husband, survivors include, two sons, Willard "Billy" Reid Houk, and his fiancee, Tara Conti, and Clifford "Chippy" C. Houk, all of New Castle; two brothers, Darryl L. Smith, of New Castle, and Thomas E. Smith, of Mountainview, AR; and a future grandchild, Maci Violet-Jean Houk.Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Willard and Carolyn Houk.Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. and Thursday, March 31, 2011, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.A funeral service will be on Friday, April 1, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Castlewood Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 660 Harmony Baptist Road, New Castle. The Rev. James O'Hara will officiate. Burial will be in the Harmony Baptist Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society , Lawrence/Mercer County Unit, 3208B Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105 or to Castlewood Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 660 Harmony Baptist Road, New Castle, PA 16101.