Betty Ann Harris Barnett, 74, made her transition into spirit Wednesday, April 15, 2015, due to complications from a stroke. Funeral: 9:30 a.m. Monday in Greenwood Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Kent Kilbourne. Entombment: Greenwood Mausoleum. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Greenwood. Betty was born Feb. 3, 1941, in Fort Worth to Thelma "Tiny" Curtis Harris and A.O. Harris, both of Fort Worth. As a teenager, Betty enjoyed Sunday evenings on the stoop with her siblings listening to gospel music from the church down the street. Her love of music remained throughout her life. Betty graduated from Technical High School in 1959 where she was voted Track Sweetheart. On Jan. 30, 1960, Betty married Jon Francis Barnett, in Jon's hometown of Doylestown, Wis. When Jon returned from service overseas, the newlyweds moved to Doylestown, a village just north of Madison. The Wisconsinites loved her Texas accent. For 11 years, Betty drove a school bus for the Rio (Wis.) School District. She somehow managed to avoid putting the bus in the ditch. In 1978, the family moved to Fort Worth where she no longer had a "Texas" accent. Betty was a gregarious Aquarius, making her a natural saleswoman. She credited her passing the Texas Realtor exam on her first attempt to the Hershey's candy bar she enjoyed before the test. She was a top producer for Kay Day Real Estate in Fort Worth for several years. Betty participated in several charities: Women's Auxiliary of the Salvation Army, American Heart Association, Cancer Foundation, and North Texas Health Science Center. Betty loved crafts, drawing and sewing. She created life-sized soft-sculpture dolls that were donated for charity auction items. Betty enjoyed cruises and casinos. She was proud of her three children, Jon Barnett Jr. of Frisco, partner in Dallas-based Metroplex General Contractors, Debbie Barnett, a certified yoga teacher in Orange County, Calif., and Cheryl Barnett Kisver, R.N., of Flower Mound. Betty was "Granny" to Trevor Barnett (16) of Frisco, Chase Kisver (10) of Flower Mound, and Brady Kisver (7) of Flower Mound. This past December Betty was chauffeured by newly-minted driver, Trevor, to the family's Christmas Eve dinner, never once stomping on an imaginary chicken brake. She was preceded in death by both parents; her sister, the Rev. Linda Harris; and her dear friend, Nickie Kemp Jay. Much appreciation goes out to Betty's family for the long hours and tireless effort they put forth in ensuring Betty had the best care possible during her final months. "You live on Earth only for a few short years which you call an incarnation, and then you leave your body as an outworn dress and go for refreshment to your true home in the spirit." White Eagle Peace+Love. Survivors: Husband of 55 years, Jon Barnett Sr. of Fort Worth; children; grandchildren; sister, Kay Day of Fort Worth; brother-in-law, James M. Peebles of Fort Worth; sister-in-law, Linda Barnett Ring of Mankato, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Lisa Tweed Barnett of Frisco; son-in-law, Greg Kisver of Flower Mound; niece, Monica Harris of Fort Worth; niece, Leigh Anne Ring of Portland, Ore.; nephew, Christopher Ring of Seattle, Wash.; grand-niece, Sara Grace Coble of Fort Worth; and dear friend, Phyliss "Cookie" Lewis Pollard of Fort Worth.
Published in Star-Telegram on Apr. 17, 2015