Faye Elena Barnes

Faye Elena Deane Barnes went to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 12, 2017. Surrounded by the family who adored her, she passed away peacefully at home after living an active and fulfilling life as a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and wife to her loved ones. She loved her husband, Thomas ‘Buddy’ Barnes, for his kindness and patience. He was her friend and companion for 66 years. Faye treasured her three children and their spouses and families.

She was blessed as well for the love and care her children and their families showed her through the years. She was known as ‘Granny’ by her grandchildren and great grandchildren alike. They were the joy of her life, and she had many cherished memories of times spent together with them.

From the time Faye was a child, growing up in Manchaca, she was blessed with close family ties. She had wonderful early memories of pressing the foot pedals while her grandmother played the organ, caring for her sister Claudette, dancing a jig with her father on St. Patrick’s Day and playing with stilts and tin cans her father made for his children. Faye attended Manchaca Grade School, Graduated from Buda High School and learned Stenography at Nixon Clay Business School.

Above all, she found her proudest moments in her three children: Mike Barnes, Sherrie Spradlin, and Betsy Nardi. They were the joy of her life, and she had many cherished memories of going camping as a family to their favorite state parks. Many times they camped with dear friends, neighbors and other family members. Faye always put the needs of others before her own needs and treated everyone like family. Faye also found a lot of fulfillment in cooking and baking for those she loved, working at the University of Texas Purchasing Department as a buyer for 20 years, singing in the choir at Koenig Lane Christian Church and listening to all kinds of music. She loved her dear friends, church family and coworkers as well.

Faye died at the age of 87; before she passed, she said, “If I had the opportunity to change anything in my life, I wouldn’t change a thing. I wouldn’t change anything. I would live it over just like it’s been.”

Faye was preceded in death by her parents Walter Burt Deane and Ethyl Russell Allen. She is survived by her sister, Claudette Knause and her brother in law, Jim Hunziker; her three children and their spouses; Michael Barnes and wife Terrie, Sherrie Spradlin and husband Bill, Betsy Nardi and husband Chris; twelve surviving grandchildren and their spouses: Jessica Minneti, John Barnes, Cliff Despres and wife Veronica, Kristin Despres, Greg Despres and wife Courtney, Morgan Barnes, Erin Woolsey and husband Brad, Shane Spradlin, Tristan Spradlin, Trevor Spradlin and wife Megan, Maxwell Nardi and Leo Nardi. Faye also has 12 precious great grandchildren and numerous nephews & nieces who were dear to her.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov 17 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752. Funeral Services will be Saturday, Nov 18 at 1:00pm at Koenig Lane Christian Church, 908 Old Koenig Lane, Austin, TX 78756. Service will be preceded by light lunch & visitation beginning at 11:30am. Graveside services to follow at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park, 4219 Park Rd. 4 South, Burnet, TX 78611.