She was born in Millersburg, Indiana on July 19, 1934, the daughter of Mary (Splittorff) Mottley and Gilbert Mottley. Ellen’s mother died when Ellen was four months old.
Ellen’s beloved grandparents, John W. Mottley and Nancy Ellen Mottley raised her. After the death of her grandfather, September 1, 1951, she and grandmother moved to Evansville. Ellen attended Millersburg School for 11 years, then graduated from F. J. Reitz High School in 1952. She graduated from Lockyear’s Business College. She worked as a secretary at Westinghouse electric Supply Company for six-1/2 years and Centenary United Methodist Church over eight years. Later, she worked as a housekeeper for several families in the Evansville and Posey County area. She retired from Holiday Retirement Village in September, 1998.
April 6, 1955, Ellen was married to Ernest M. Barnett. Ernest died April 25, 1997, after 42 years of marriage.
Above all, Ellen was a Christian and loved and lived for the Lord Jesus Christ. She remained active in her church, president of Women’s Ministries and Missionary Society and mailing Birthday and Anniversary cards to the congregation, greeting and ushering through the years. She came to faith in Christ at an early age and lived her life, seeking to bring glory to her Savior, being a blessing to her family and friends and reading the Scriptures daily for His truth. Her leaving this earth for her heavenly home creates a void in the lives of each of us that will never be filled this side of Heaven. Her desire is that you would come to join her in worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ by placing your faith solely in Him.
She was always the person to be the listening ear, the shoulder to cry on and the friend to offer just the right words of encouragement to people. She had a positive outlook on life and a smile for everyone.
Mrs. Barnett was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, husband, Ernest M. Barnett and sister, Dorothy Powers and brother Charles Mottley, and a special friend, Clayton E. Fostor of Boonville, IN in September of 2019.
Ellen is survived by her beloved son, that she loved dearly, Marty R. Barnett of Wadesville, IN; sister, Helen R. Phillips of Eagle River, Alaska; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly.
Special thanks to the staff at the Rehabilitation Cottage at Bethel Manor for taking care of Mom.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Alexander North Chapel, officiated by Rev. Steve Forister, with burial in Maple Grove Cemetery in Boonville, IN. Friends may visit Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wadesville General Baptist Church, Wadesville, IN or Shriner’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.
