Betty M. Barnett

She was born on September 12, 1927, in Peoria, the daughter of Lewis and Gertrude Seelye Walker.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of almost fifty years, Clayburn W. Barnett, Sr.; and one sister, Norma Eubank.

Betty is survived by her four children, Diana Hall of Peoria; Clayburn W. “Sonny” Barnett, Jr. (Sally) of Mapleton, Jim Barnett of Peoria; Brenda Kinsel of Canton; one brother, Lewis (Mary) Walker of Steubenville, Ohio; and her sister, Patsy Russell of Bartonville. She is also survived and will be dearly missed by her six grandchildren, Mick (Jami) Hall of Dunlap; Kim (Allan) Jackson of Canton; Michelle (Chris) Stevens of Gridley; Scott Barnett of Mapleton; Brent Barnett of Bartonville; and Brian (Jessica) Kinsel of Canton. Fourteen great-grandchildren and her cat, Muffin, will also miss her so very much.

She was a proud product of the south side of Peoria having raised three of her children there. Betty worked at Peoria Metal, Armour Meat Packing and was a cafeteria lady at Harrison School. For many years she also sold Avon.

In the early 1970s she and her husband moved to rural Canton where they built a home on a farm they shared with their daughter. On the farm she raised small animals and oversaw a large garden. She and Clay enjoyed many of the best years of their life together on the farm. During those years she was an excellent bowler who participated in leagues at Linn Lanes in Canton.

After moving to Bartonville for a few years, she returned to Canton following the death of her husband. She remained an avid and knowledgeable gardener who loved tulips and roses.

Betty loved antique hunting and traveling, especially to Hawaii.

She was a Born-Again Christian and member of Evangelical Free Church of Canton where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She also loved to worship and travel with her friends at the First Baptist Church of Pekin.

God called her home to his side on a beautiful Sunday morning. She is now sharing a homemade swing with her beloved husband.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 5 to 8 pm at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel. A funeral service will be on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 11:00am with visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Pastor Brandon Theobald will officiate. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery following the service.

Memorials may be made to Evangelical Free Church of Canton and Methodist Medical Center Hospice Services. Please visit Betty’s story at www.davison-fulton.com