Emily Louise Lott Barkley

Louise Lott Barkley, who was part of the Lott-Frauenfelder pioneer family in Yuma, died at her home on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Louise was born in Yuma on February 25, 1925 and lived in Gadsden, Somerton and Yuma areas her whole life. Louise graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1942 and remained a Criminal for life. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from the University of Arizona in 1947 and returned to teach at Yuma Union High School. She and her childhood friend, Jimmy Barkley married in 1948 after he returned from the Navy. They moved to the Yuma Valley, where they farmed and started a family. She was active in many charitable and civic organizations throughout her life, beginning as homeroom mother throughout her children's school years.

When her husband Jimmy Barkley died in 1979, Louise took up the reins of the family farming business, where she remained active until her 80's. Louise was a longtime member of the Yuma Regional Hospital Board, and a charter member of Yuma Friends of Arizona Health Sciences. Some of her other many activities included Yuma County Cotton Wives, Arizona Cow Belles, and the Ophthalmology Board at University Medical Center in Tucson.

Louise received the UA Alumni Association Distinguished Citizen Award in October, 2004 and the Heart of Yuma Award in 2008. These awards underscored her devotion to her community and to advancing medical care in Arizona.

Her family was one of the earliest families to settle in the Yuma Valley. Her father, George Lott, came with his mother, father and siblings to Yuma in 1912. Her mother, Caroline Frauenfelder came with her mother and siblings to Yuma in 1916. Both families settled near Gadsden and began to clear the land to create farms for themselves. The families met in about 1917 and it was quite the connection. Lott children married Frauenfelder children and there were many double cousins as a result. This created a very deep and enduring family relationship that lasts to this day. While many have moved away, most have stayed in Yuma and are still close. Louise has hosted many get-togethers of this clan and we will all miss her greatly.

Louise was an expert cook, and welcoming hostess to many gatherings at her home. Her lakeside house in the Yuma Valley was always filled with guests and relatives, as well as the site of many Yuma weddings during the years. Her many grandchildren would stop off after school for an afternoon snack with Grandma Weesie, as they called her, because as they said, "she had the best stocked fridge in Yuma!"

Louise and Jimmy had three children, Mary, Jim and Robby. She has eight grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Caroline Lott, her beloved husband Jim Barkley, her brother Davey Lott, and her sister Genevieve Wolfe. She is survived by her sisters Polly Coffeen, and Caroline Jessen, her sister-in –law, Jody Lott, and nine double cousins. She is also survived by her daughter Mary Barkley, her son Jim Barkley and her son Robby (Rachael) Barkley. Her grandchildren are Hank (Cori) Auza, Caroline Auza, Chris (Samantha) Auza, Tim (Evelyn) Jones, Kellen (Andy) Meyer, Toby (Jenny) Jones, and Michael Barkley. Also, she is survived by her devoted caregivers Gloria Alanis, Georgette Cooney, and Sandy Duncan.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday June 3, 2016 at 11 am at the Yuma Golf and Country Club. The family requests that instead of flowers, a memorial donation be made in her name to Yuma Friends of Arizona Health Sciences, Cheryl House, UAHS Senior Director of Development, P.O. Box 245018, Tucson AZ, 85724, (520) 904 2315, (520) 626 6022, (they will be happy to talk to you about how you wish your donation to be designated), or Hospice of Yuma, 1824 So. 8th Ave., Yuma, 85364, (928) 343 2222, or Foundation of YRMC, 2400 So. Ave A, 85364, (928) 336 2445

Arrangements under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, AZ.