Verna Jane Henson Harwell Barnes, 88, of Chouteau, Oklahoma, formerly of Poteau, Oklahoma passed away peacefully, with Joe and Jan by her side on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 5:41 a.m. in Chouteau. Verna was born on January 29, 1931 in Howe, Oklahoma to Lenard Bengeman Henson and Nora Mae (Stephens) Henson.
Verna grew up and attended school in Mansfield, Arkansas. She was the oldest of four siblings. The Henson family owned a sawmill in Mansfield, which is still in operation under different ownership.
Verna married John Walker Harwell of Huntington, Arkansas on October 9, 1952 in Washington County, Arkansas. Together they operated Harwell Lumber Company in Poteau for thirteen years. Afterward, Verna utilized her excellent sewing skills to become a supervisor at Hamlin Manufacturing in Poteau. She and John remained married for 28 years until his death in 1981.
From her marriage to John, Verna is survived by daughter, Janice Harwell Mode and fiance’, Michael Pitts of Chouteau; son, Joe Harwell of Tulsa; six grandchildren, Jeff Mode and wife, Meygan of Poteau, Jennifer Clark of Fort Smith, AR, Joseph Harwell and wife, Amber, of Broken Arrow, Heather Speaks and husband, Jason of Inola, OK, Kimberly Hargrove and husband, Jesse of Glenpool, OK, Jason Harwell of Broken Arrow, OK; fourteen great grandchildren, Bethany and Gavin Mode of Bryant, AR, Jaci Seals and Blake Wagner both of Poteau, Kiera, Zamiel, and Justice Clark of Fort Smith, Bridget, Chloe, and Landon Harwell of Broken Arrow, Jordyn Harwell of Stillwater, OK and Jarrad Speaks of Inola, Sable and Breandra Hall of Glenpool; a sister-in-law, Frankie Henson of Ft Smith, AR and many nieces and nephews.
In November 1991, Verna married Arthur (Art) Lee Barnes of Poteau in Taney County, Missouri. They were married for six years until his death in July 1998. From her marriage to Art, she is survived by a step son, Roger Barnes of Wagoner, OK, a step daughter, Mary Storey and husband, Keith of Durant, Oklahoma and four step grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; siblings, Dolly Dean Henson Repass and husband, John, Bob A. Henson and Billy Joe Henson and wife, Ann; first husband, John Walker Harwell; second husband, Arthur Lee Barnes and daughter-in-law, Becky Craig Harwell.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 31 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel, 137 North Main Street, Greenwood, Arkansas with Rev. Ron Briscoe officiating with interment at Coop Prairie Cemetery in Mansfield. There will be no graveside service.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Mode, Jennifer Clark, Joseph Harwell, Heather Speaks, Kimberly Hargrove and Jason Harwell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Verna to the American Heart Association.
