Floella Barnes

Floella Smith Emison Barnes, 82, relocated to her heavenly home October 26, 2009, after a lengthy illness. Her children and grandchildren were at her bedside, Mrs. Barnes is survived by her husband of 18 years, Olen Barnes, 3 children, Darlene Emison, Morris Emison and Renee Morrison, 3 grandchildren, Drew Buck, Brandon Buck, and Danae Rippel, and a host of nieces and nephews. Floella was born June 23, 1927, and was the seventh of 8 brothers and sisters born to W.E. and Mildred Smith of Vilonia. The only sibling still living is her best friend for life, her sister, Eda Smith Bishop. They were so close and looked so similar that they were often mistaken for one another. They shared the same off kilter sense of humor with their sister Letha Smith Stanley, and the three of them had those around them laughing much of the time. Floella and Dewey Emison were married February 9, 1946, and were happily married until his death in 1983. They lived in El Dorado, Arkansas, with their 3 children, where Floella was a leader, choir member, and Sunday school teacher in her church, and a volunteer at the hospital, in addition to holding a job outside the home as a bookkeeper. She planned many events and parties for the church youth group and the kids always liked to hang out at her house because of her “cool” factor. In 1991, she married Olen Barnes and moved back to Vilonia, where she added more loving family members and became an active member of First Baptist Church of Vilonia. Her new grandchildren were Kelly, Joshua, and Jody Barnes. Kelly married Martin McKissack and gave her four great-grandchildren: Kelsey, Macy, Evy and Wesley McKissack. The two biggest passions of her life were her children and her God. Her other passions included sewing, reading, writing, being with her family and listening to her children make music. Floella also loved nature and all God’s creations, with one exception-cats. She was a remarkable woman who was always doing something for someone other than herself, and never thought she did enough. Her great sense of humor never left her, in fact, her wit seemed sharper as she became weaker. When told she looked pretty, she would reply. “I know, I can’t help it.” A couple years ago when her doctor told her she needed another heart surgery, he asked how she had been feeling and what she had been doing. She sang, “I went sky diving, I went Rocky Mountain climbing.” One day recently, when she was a bit lonely and she was told three people had visited her, she quipped. “I guess my popularity is fading.” A few weeks before her passing, she told her children that she knew she did not have long to live but it did not have to be a tragedy. Therefore, all family and friends are invited to join in the celebration of her life 11:00 a.m., Saturday at First Baptist Church in Vilonia. Burial will be in Edgewood Memorial Park in North Little Rock. Visitation will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. In keeping with her life’s philosophy of helping others, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Baptist Hospice, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72210 or Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202. Online obituary and guest register at www.nlrfh.com.

Floella Barnes

June 23, 1927 - October 26, 2009