Mary Katherine Barnwell-Bickford

Mary Katherine Foulks Barnwell-Bickford, born April 13, 1945, passed away Friday, September 19, 2025. She fought cancer with courage and faith. The battle was long and hard. It came to an end with her special granddaughter by her side. God needed his warriors, so he called his daughter home.

Her faith in Christ, her savior, led her in her life’s journey and her willingness to reach out to those in need to share her faith and uplift everyone she could. She counseled and worked with youth for many years. She was a child advocate. She cared for and loved people and adopted everyone into her heart.

She was the first female board member with Youth for Christ (YFC) in Lakeland, FL. She worked for many years with youth with addictions and family issues. She studied psychology at Florida Southern College and Accounting and Finance at Dale Carnegie Courses. She also earned a BS degree in Communications and Public Relation at ETSU.

She is survived by four siblings: Learline Brown and husband, Chester, Pauline Birdwell, David A. Foulks and wife, Marlene, and Doyle Foulks and wife, Wanda; two sons: Shannon Barnwell and Joe Joe Bickford; a daughter, Lisa Bracken; twelve grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and her special friend and companion, Steven Holden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Billy A. Foulks and Ruth Irene Collins Phillips; her late husbands: Joseph Lee Bickford, Robert (Bob) Barnwell, and Sam Mitchell; and a brother-in-law, Fred Birdwell.

She was grateful for all the caregivers and special friends who could come when she reached and needed help. She was very loved by many.

There will be no formal services at this time.

Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements.