Joyce Barr

Joyce Ann (Hagemann) Barr, a longtime resident of Fort Smith, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 2 at the age of 84. Joyce was born on September 8, 1939 in Quincy, Illinois to Ralph and Millie Hagemann. She graduated from Quincy High School in 1957 and attended Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. Joyce married Tom Barr on September 3, 1960 and they began a wonderful life together in Fort Smith.

She was a lifelong Lutheran and, beginning in 1960, a faithful member of First Lutheran Church. She served as President of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Secretary of First Lutheran Church Council, Financial Secretary of First Lutheran Church and was a member of the First Lutheran Board of Christian Education.

Joyce’s decades of selfless service to her community include serving as President of the Fort Smith Girls Club (Girls Inc.), President of Young Women’s Community Guild; Board Member of the United Way Committee of 21, member of Sparks Young Ladies Guild; Community Services Clearinghouse, Inc. Board Member; and President of Northside High School PTA from 1981-1983 and 1992-1993.

Joyce was often recognized for her longtime love of tennis and her wicked one-handed backhand! She was a beloved member of her Tuesday Tennis Lunch Bunch. Joyce was presented with a PTA Life Membership by Northside PTA and the Fort Smith City Council PTA in 1982. She was named a Distinguished Woman in Service by the L.W.M.L. in 2013. However, her most cherished award, being named the Mayor’s Mother of the Year in 2009, was very well-deserved according to her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her children Martha (Tim) Leaf of McPherson, KS, Mark (Lynne) Barr and Michael (Greta) Barr of Fort Smith. In addition, she leaves her seven grandchildren: Paxton Leaf of Savoy, IL, Maggie Leaf and Hannah Barr of Washington D.C., Abby Barr of Little Rock, AR, Sam Barr, Emily Barr, and Ellie Barr of Fort Smith, AR.

Joyce is also survived by her sister Sandy (David) Dick of Allen, TX, her sister Sara (Roger) Schlichting of Springfield, IL and her brother, Bob (Madeline) Hagemann of Quincy, IL; her sisters-in-law Dr. Marilyn Barr, JoAnn Barr, and Sharon Barr all of Fort Smith; her nieces Deborah (Derek) Linam of Wildwood, MO, Allison (Terry) Tucker of Hindsville, AR, Jennifer (Chris) Bates of Portland, OR, Courtney (Ian) Beard of Little Rock, AR; her nephews John Hagemann of Tumwater, WA, Andrew (Kim) Schlichting of Plainfield, IL, Dr. Peter (Chrissie) Schlichting of Springfield, IL, Scott (Cindy) Barr, Brian (Megan) Barr of Fort Smith, Hayden (Danelle) Barr of LaGuna Niguel, CA, and Douglas (Rachel) Barr of Memphis, TN; as well as many additional extended family members and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Barr, who passed away in 2001, by her parents, Ralph and Millie Hagemann, and by her brothers-in-law Dick Barr and Larry Barr.

After a lifetime of caring for her family and community and while living a life of independence, Joyce became dependent on the care of others for the last year of her life. Her family wants to thank all of her caregivers, especially Vicki, Veronica, Sabrina, Sheila, and Mona for the wonderful care they provided, as well as Mercy Hospice.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 6 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church with a private burial preceding the service.

Pallbearers will be Brian Barr, Douglas Barr, Hayden Barr, Sam Barr, Scott Barr, Chris Bates, Ian Beard, John Hagemann, Paxton Leaf, Derek Linam, Andrew Schlichting, Peter Schlichting, and Terry Tucker.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Joyce’s memory to First Lutheran Church, Community Services Clearinghouse, Inc., and Girls Inc. of Fort Smith