Inez Gibson Barnett, 96, of Paris, died at 8:50 PM, Saturday, January 12, 2013 at The Heritage House of Paris. Funeral services are set for 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 16, 2013 in the chapel of Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home with Rev. Randall Scott officiating. Entombment will be at Meadowbrook Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the foyer of the chapel. Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Barnett was born in the Pinhook Community of Lamar County October 10, 1916, to Rance and Effie Arnold Gibson. She attended Walnut Ridge School. She married Jack Barnett August of 1932. This union lasted until his death in October 2004 after 72 years of marriage.
Her vocation in life was obstetrical nursing. Her first experience with nursing was in the early 1950’s at St. Joseph Hospital in Paris. She later attended nursing school there; graduating at the top of her class. She then went to work at the Sanitarium of Paris, later renamed McCuistion Regional Medical Center, where she retired after 35 years of service. According to Inez, “she caught many a new baby”.
Inez was a woman of varied talents; many born of necessity. She was accomplished at dressmaking, reupholstering furniture, quilting, ceramics, flower gardening, cooking, canning, and much more.
Inez became a Christian at an early age, and was active in her local church wherever her family lived. She was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church from January 1, 1954 until her death. She served her church in many capacities over the years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, four brothers, and one son-in-law. She is survived by her sister, Ruby Fox; four daughters, Melba Claymon and her husband, John, Sue Anderson and her husband, Bill, Joan St. John, and Ellen Whitaker and her husband, Mel; grandchildren, Lynne, Jeff, Lance, Janeese, Holly, Jennifer, Lauren; great-grandchildren Sarah, Miranda, Abigail, Alex, Luke, Matthew, Jack, Zachary, and Reid; and many nieces and nephews.
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Proverbs 31:28 KJV.
If desired, memorials may be made to Meals On Wheels.
Online condolences may be made to the Barnett family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.