Jacqueline Lea Barnett

Jacqueline Lea Barnett, 78, a longtime resident of Newton, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, March 17, 2013, at her home in Newton.

Jackie was born July 6, 1934, in Lincoln, NE, the daughter of Ben and Norma C. (Schroff) Myers.  She graduated from Lincoln Senior High, Class of 1952, and later attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln.

On August 30, 1953, Jackie was united in marriage with Raymond Barnett.  They made their home in Lexington, Ky., from 1954 until 1957.

Their son Steven Michael was born in Lexington, on May 11, 1955.  They moved to Adel, Iowa, in July 1957, and their daughter Barbara LeAnn was born Sept. 10, 1958, in Des Moines. It was in April 1963, Jackie and Ray moved to Newton.  She had devoted her life to her family and friends, and was a member of the First Christian Church.  Jackie was a kind and warmhearted lady, and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

She enjoyed reading, traveling with her family, sewing quilts, babysitting her grandchildren while their mother worked, music, making Christmas cookies, dying Easter eggs, making each grandchild a quilt for their bed, and baby quilts for future great-grandchildren.

They had many fun trips with their family as a whole, first with their children, and then with grandchildren.  Trips to Oregon, California, Florida, Washington D.C., South Dakota, several to Colorado (which seemed to be their favorite), even trips out of the country or trips with their good friends.

Her love of community was more than a thought.  She was involved in church choir, taught Sunday school & Bible school, a church board member, assisted in evangelism-membership and fellowship ministries, helped with weddings, served on regional committees and served as an officer for the Ministers & Wives Institute.

She was the first administrative assistant at the Christian Conference Center in Newton.  She was a PeeWee camp counselor,  a 50-year member of PEO and current member of PEO chapter ME, Charter member of Newton Community Theatre, R.S.V.P. volunteer, served on the Hospice Board, Jasper County Unit of American Cancer Society, volunteer for Daffodil Days & Relay for Life, volunteered for Woodrow Wilson Elementary School’s reading programs.

Jackie is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Ray of Newton; her son Steven M. (Bonnie) Barnett of Newton; daughter Barbara LeAnn (Frank) Svoboda of Grapevine, Texas; her grandchildren: Andrew, Alisha, Stephanie and Benjamin; her sister, Patricia (Michael) Murphy; brothers-in-law, Robert (Jinky) Barnett and Wallace (Beverly) Barnett and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a grandson, Adam Michael.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, March 23, 2013, at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Newton, Iowa.  Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Sunday, March 24, 2013, at the church.

Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. Burial will be in Newton Union Cemetery.  Memorials are being designated in Jackie's name to Skiff Hospice or First Christian Church and may be left at the funeral home or church.  Online condolences may be left for the family at: www.pencefh.com