Helen S. Barner

Mrs. Helen Smith Willis Barner, after residing for most of her life in Columbus, Georgia (and originally from Pine Mountain, Georgia), went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 22, 2012 after a short sojourn at Deerfield Nursing Facility in Asheville, N.C. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, March 27, at 11:00 AM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA, 31907. The family will be pleased to welcome friends at the funeral home on Monday, March 26, 2012, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

Helen Smith was born on January 28, 1921 to Shurley and Sally Smith of Pine Mountain, Georgia. She resided in Pine Mountain until her marriage in 1941 to W. Stanford Willis of Phenix City, AL. They were married for more than 45 years until Stanford died in 1986. Four years later, she was blessed to find love once again. She and Col. (Ret) John Barner were married in 1990 and shared a happy marriage for more than 20 years until John died on January 24th of this year. Besides her two husbands, Helen was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Jean Willis in 1972.

Helen is survived by her children: Richard Willis (Cindy) of Pueblo, CO; Roger Willis (Judy) of Bethlehem, GA; and Joseph Willis (Debbie) of Monument, CO. She is also survived by her brother, Keith Smith, Sr. of Columbus, GA and her sister, Evelyn Davis (Pope) of Pine Mountain, GA. Further, she is survived by six grandchildren: Slade Willis (Missy) of Bethlehem, GA; Melissa George (Jon) of Buford, GA; Lisa Marie Nelson of Asheville, N.C.; Dr. Lance Willis of Suharita, AZ; Christy Jesse (David) of Colorado Springs, CO; and Jody Willis of Portland, OR. She enjoyed a loving relationship with all her family, including her ten great grandchildren.

Please visit www.shcolumbus.com to express condolences.