Mary Barnes
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Mary Barnes, 94, of Burkburnett, Texas joyfully left this life to meet her Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
Mary was born and raised in Hartford, Arkansas - one of eight siblings in a hard-working farming family. She traveled to San Pedro, California at a tender young adult age to be in a friend's wedding, and once there felt God's call that this was to be her new home. She easily made many new friends, met and married a young man also from Arkansas, and gave birth to her three children. She was prepared to build a solid foundation there with her husband and family - similar to the one she knew growing up back in Arkansas.
But as it happens, her life was destined to change courses. Her husband had different aspirations, and their marriage dissolved, leaving her to raise her three children as a single mother. Undaunted and resolute, and having prayerfully sought God's guidance for the next phase o her journey, in 1966 to she relocated to Burkburnett, Texas to establish new roots and build the life she envisioned for herself and her children.
And what a life she built in her 55 years in Burkburnett. She was a faithful ;member of the First Baptist Church of Burkburnett all those years, where she nurtured her faith and forged many lasting friendships. Her devotion to her church and its people, and the loving support she both gave and received to and from her church family, helped her establish and maintain the Christian home she was so strongly committed to for her own family.
She supported her family by working in Civil Service at Sheppard Air Force Base from 1966 to her retirement in 1991. This affiliation was Providential as well, as her position there gave her ready access to many young people coming through the Base that so deeply needed her loving care and guidance. For three decades, she baked them cakes, pies, and cookies; drove them to doctor's appointments, gave them odd jobs, listened to their homesick stories, wrote to them when they were transferred to other Bases, and eve helped one birth a baby. God only knows how many young searching souls she gently and lovingly nudged towards God's outstretched arms.
She also was a longtime member of the Wichita Falls Poetry Society, where she delighted in sharing her love for poetry with kindred spirits. One of her proudest achievements was being awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership there for her numerous contributions.
She was a faithful correspondent to so many cherished friends and family members throughout her life. She never forgot a birthday, never left a worry uncounseled, and never left a tear unnoticed. She leaves a legacy of faith and devotion through a life led with blessed assurance.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Beulah Babb Pitchford and Garrett Pitchford, sisters Frances Jones and Adylene (Bakey) Paxson and brothers: John Pitchford, Leon (Bud) Pitchford, James Garrett Pitchford, Ronald Pitchford, and Wendell (Hap) Pitchford.
Mary is survived by her Children: Benay Ayers of Wichita Falls, TX, Dennis Barnes (wife Claudia) of Dallas, TX, Jana Matlock (husband Gary) of Dallas, TX: Son-in-law: Ronnie Ayers (wife Marsha) of Lawton, Ok; Grandchildren: Pate Barnes (wife Nicole) Dallas, TX, Reid Barnes (wife Joanie) of Austin, TX, Kellen Ayers of Wichita Falls, TX, Claire Matlock of Austin, TX and Eli Matlock of Memphis, TN; Great Grandchildren: Aiden, Mason, Cameron, Ella Rose; and many adored nieces, nephews, and friends.
You are invited to join a celebration of Mary's life on Wednesday, May 26, at 2 p.m. at her beloved First Baptist Church in Burkburnett. Joe Coombes will officiate the service, with Dr. Morgan Moore and Rev. Lamoin Champ contributing. The family will gather at the Burkburnett Community Center from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. for visitors. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 28, 2021 at Hartford Memorial Cemetery in Hartford, AR.
Mary's family suggests memorials to First Baptist Church, Burkburnett, TX 316 E. 4th Street, Burkburnett, TX 65354; and the Wichita Falls Poetry Society, 2 Callie Court, Wichita Falls, TX 76310.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com