Jane Edmonds Barnett

Jane Osborn Edmonds Barnett, age 95, passed away early Sunday morning, April 13, 2025 at her home in Sugar Land, Texas. She was born June 6,1929 in Accomac, Virginia, the daughter of Sarah Augusta Norris Edmonds and Alfred Benjamin Gunter Edmonds.

Jane was predeceased by her husband of 30 years, Aubrey Shuman Barnett, Jr., her parents Sarah (Sadie) and Alfred Edmonds, her mother- and father-in-law Louisa and Aubrey Barnett, Sr., her sisters May Gunter Kelley and Ann Huntington, her brother Alfred Edmonds, her brother-in-law Horace Edward Kelley, and her grandson in-law Todd Horelica as well as numerous aunts and uncles.

Jane is survived by her children Mary Jean Barnett Zellner (Owen), William Norris Barnett, and Sarah Barnett Parsons, her grandchildren Ryan Zellner (Tassie), Raymond Zellner (Alicia), Rachel Ferraiuolo (Andrew), Rebecca Horelica, Sarah Barnett, Nicholas Barnett (Hannah), Victoria Barnett, Gabrielle Barnett, Stephen Parsons (Amanda), William Parsons, her great grandchildren Kendall and Jacob Winkles, Olivia Zellner, Aubrey, Liam, and Watson Zellner, Colin Linam, and Harper Horelica, her sister-in-law Katie Edmonds, her brother-in-law Rollin Huntington, and many nieces and nephews whom she adored. She also leaves many other family members, neighbors, and friends who will miss her dearly.

Jane grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and moved to Texas in 1960. While she spent the majority of her life in Texas, she always considered the Shore her home. Jane grew up in the small town of Accomac and had a wonderful life surrounded by family and friends. She often told stories of Sunday dinners at Aunt Ellen and Aunt May’s, learning to swim in Folley Creek, charging candy to her father’s account at the local grocery store, going out to Cedar Island with friends, and working in the family newspaper business, The Peninsula Enterprise. She loved music and took piano lessons for thirteen years. Jane eventually left Accomac when her parents put her on a train to Richmond, Virginia where she graduated from Westhampton College at the University of Richmond. While there, she was a student athlete playing basketball, field hockey, and running track. Following graduation, Jane taught school in Virginia until she married, had children, and stayed at home to be the best mother she could be. Jane was a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Houston, where she taught Sunday school, was on the Alter Guild and the Vestry, and volunteered at the church’s resale shop. She was also a room mother at school and a Cub Scout den mother. Jane went back to work when her children were older and eventually retired from The University of Texas Medical School in Houston.

Jane’s priorities were always family, faith, and friends. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend and always put everyone’s needs before her own. She was an amazing force in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Fiercely independent until the end, she lived life on her terms never wanting to be a burden to anyone. Still driving, cooking, taking care of her home, and working in her yard until the day of her passing, she had boundless energy that never ceased. Often described as “remarkable”, “determined”, “resilient”, and a “positive spirt”, she never failed to be the epitome of class and grace. She was kind, caring, and compassionate and was the glue that held the family together. We will all hold dear those fond memories of getting together at Nana’s house for holidays, birthday celebrations, or just to indulge in her famous chicken spaghetti.

A memorial service in remembrance of Jane will be held Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna Episcopal Church, 4747 Sienna Parkway, Missouri City, Texas with a private internment at Forest Park Westheimer to follow. Later, Jane will take one last trip to the Eastern Shore where a portion of her ashes will be spread near her mother, father, sisters, and brother.