Wanda Faye Barnett

Wanda Faye (Dixon) Barnett, known as Maw by most, age 85, of Coleman, passed away on June 11, 2014, at The Holiday Hill Nursing Home. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2014, in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with her grandson, Michael Lee Barnett, officiating. Burial will follow in the Coleman Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Wanda was born July 9, 1928, in Santa Anna, Texas as one of six children, where they all attended school. She married the love of her life, William Oscar Barnett on June 3, 1950 at her parent's home in Santa Anna. On this day Paw played the ukulele and sang Bonaparts Retreat to Maw. Quickly moving to Coleman, they began their life together, lasting for 50 years.

Wanda was a loving, caring, hard working woman. She was an original and her children have always said, "There was no one else like her! She was one of a kind!!"

She began working right out of high school and NEVER stopped. While still living in Santa Anna she began working for Jinright Manufacturing Company where she worked for 32 years. During this time Wanda also baby sat children in her home, in the evenings and on weekends. She also took in ironing for the public. She would always tell her children that people should not live beyond their means. Work hard for what you have and be happy with it, for this will make you appreciate it more. She was never an idle person and she only stopped when she laid her head down to sleep.

Maw and Paw owned and operated the day care center called Maw & Paws Playhouse. They purchased the building and Maw and Paw completely rebuilt it inside and out. They poured their hearts into it and it showed. He also made each piece of playground equipment by hand. They worked hard together and made a successful thriving business. Not only did Maw take care of Paw and all of her children, she took care of hundreds of the children of Coleman and each child learned to love her dearly.

Maw was a lifelong member of North Coleman Baptist Church, and she raised all of her children there. She had a strong faith in her God and she very seldom missed a Sunday.

Maw always believed that cleanliness was next to Godliness and in her home it showed. She taught us at all times to clean our bodies, our homes, and our yards. Lol

Her passion was working in her yard and it was always mowed and trimmed to perfection. One could pass by Maw and Paw's house and always see her working in her yard. There was never anything out of place and with 7 kids running around playing in it, as well as all of the neighborhood kids, she still managed to keep it as neat as a pin. She did all of her yard work herself, mowing, weed eating, raking and hoeing until she was 84 years old. The little house on Ripley Street was her mansion, and her little piece of heaven. That wonderful house became known as "The House of Love." She led a simple life and she lived for her children.

Her other passion was embroidering!! The little time she had to sit down, she could be found embroidering and no one could embroider like her. She was the best! Later in life when she finally retired, she would embroider every single day. Her hands were nimble and quick and she would create gifts for all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends. No one was ever left out from receiving an embroidered gift from her. Even when her fingers were bent and twisted with arthritis, she would still work her magic with a needle and thread.

She was preceded in death by her mother Monah Smith Dixon and her father Hayes Dixon. Two sisters, Johnnie Berniece Yancey and Audrey Seaman, two brothers, Albert Dewey Dixon and James Harvey Dixon. Wanda is survived by one sister, her baby sister, Estle Mae Wells of Fort Worth; four daughters, Caroline Barnett Jackson of Coleman, Sharon Barnett Laws of Willow Park, Kay Barnett Faries of Coleman and Joy Barnett Dela Rosa of Coleman; four sons, Danny Barnett of Stephenville, Dennis Barnett of Coleman, Douglas Barnett of Early and David Barnett of Coleman, and one sister-in-law and best friend Mary Joyce Bishop; 24 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers include her grandsons, Michael Lee Barnett, Mack Eugene Faries, Shawn Dale Faries, Michael Chad (Bubba) Laws, Tyson Daniel Faries, Danny Gene Barnett, Caleb Joshua Barnett, Landon Barnett Dela Rosa, Derek Glen Barnett, Derk Chase Barnett, and Joshua Orion Barnett. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Frank Hyden and Cody Fikes.

In Loving Memory Of An Amazing Woman:
Wanda Faye Barnett
Entered This Life, July 9, 1928
Departed This Life, June 11, 2014

Maw loved unconditionally and she was a woman that showed it. She lived for her children. Family meant everything to her. Her gentle guidance and wisdom will be missed but treasured by all who knew her.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 12, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, Coleman, Texas.

Please sign her online guestbook at www.livingmemorials.com.