Persephone Evonda Barnett

Persephone Evonda Barnett, affectionately known to her family and friends as “Cooky”, was born on November 16, 1975, at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Plato Evans Barnett, Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Barnett. She was the eldest of two daughters and was a loving and protective big sister to Angela Barnett-Forbes.

At an early age, Persephone gave her life to Christ at St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas on August 23,1987. There, she faithfully shared her gift of music as a member of the church choir. Her faith and love for God remained an important part of her life.

Persephone attended Mabelvale Junior High School, where she first discovered her passion for basketball. She continued to pursue and excel in the sport at J.A. Fair High School. Persephone quickly became an outstanding all-around basketball player and also enjoyed participating in track and field. After High School, Persephone pursued a career at Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Beyond athletics, Persephone had a deep love for dancing, music, movies, art, and, above all else, family. Her fearless spirit, outgoing personality and unrelenting strength left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

In 2001, Persephone relocated to Lakeland, Florida, to be closer to family and became a member of Faith World in Orlando, FL.

She was a devoted and loving aunt to her four nieces and nephews: Ebone, Alexis, Ashlin, and Alec. Persephone proudly embraced her role as “the world’s greatest aunt,” showering each of them with endless love, support, and affection.

Persephone was a valued employee at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. for ten years, where she earned the respect and admiration of both her colleagues and customers through her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

Persephone accomplished many things in her career, however to all of us that love and adore her, her greatest legacy will always be her role as daughter, sister, aunt, God-sister, cousin and friend.

She was preceded in death by her father, Plato Evans Barnett, Jr., her maternal grandparents, Andrew Phillips and Claudia Phillips, her paternal grandparents, Plato Evans Barnett, Sr. and Willie Ella McGhee, her step-grandmother, Vivian Barnett, her Aunt, Martha Phillips, her God-father, Purnell Henderson, and her God-brother, Martin Henderson.

Left to keep her memory alive and to remember her with love is her loving mother, Mary Elizabeth Barnett, her sister, Angela Barnett-Forbes (Tony).

Persephone’s legacy also lives on with her nieces and nephews: Alexis Forbes (Stanley), Ashlin Forbes, and Alec Forbes, Ebone Amaro (daughter of Tony Forbes).

She is also survived by her uncles Danny Phillips and Lee Phillips and cousins Pretrescia Grubbs (Ramondo) and Katlyn Willis (Titus).

Other relatives include her God-mother, Drue Henderson; her God-sisters; Yendel Jones and Tara Jones; her God-son, Alexander Jackson; God-daughter Brianna Jones.

She is survived and loved by a host of other loving family and friends.

Her beautiful spirit, loving heart, and unforgettable presence will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Spread your wings and fly, “Cooky”! You ran your race well and kept the faith, now Heaven is your eternal home!

Until we hug again, your loving family!

Visitation will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734, US, on May 30, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the Funeral Service at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

A Committal Service will take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Cremation Gardens, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734, US, on May 30, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.