Helen Loraine Barnett, 74, of Pampa, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
Graveside services will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Memory Gardens Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Jerry Lane, retired minister, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.
Helen was born on April 9, 1949, in Long Beach, California, to Freddie Wilson and Rachel Ray Betchan. She grew up in Pampa and graduated from Pampa High School in 1967. Helen married the love of her life, Eddie Barnett, on July 20, 1967, and the two were married for over 56 years. For over 40 years, Helen was a cook and waitress at the Coney Island Café. She also worked at Southwestern Bell and Armstrong Coffee Service for some time. Helen attended cosmetology school in her young adult life as well.
Helen and Eddie were blessed with two wonderful daughters. Helen was actively involved in the activities of the girls. She was a committed band mom while the girls were in the Pride of Pampa marching band, and she was the official GameDay hair braider for all the girls in the color guard. Helen was also a Girl Scout assistant leader. Most importantly, she raised the girls to follow in her faith and to love the Lord as she did.
Helen loved being with her family and friends on road trips, family reunions, and lake and mountain time. She enjoyed outdoor activities such as riding motorcycles, water skiing, camping, and fishing. Helen also loved to garden her flowers and take care of her koi pond. She was a faithful member of the First Christian Church. She served as a deacon and was a Sunday School superintendent for over 10 years. Dear to Helen was raising her girls and enjoying the blessings of her 5 grandsons.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Freddie Betchan, Sr. and Rachel Bailey; her stepfather, Levi “Pop” Charles Bailey, Jr.; grandchild, Charley Bural; brother, Freddie Betchan, Jr.; and sister, Joyce Hadley.
She is survived by her husband, Eddie Barnett of the home; daughters, RaNita Cook and husband Tom of Amarillo, and Gina Gilmore and husband David of Katy; grandsons, Ethan, Britton, and Parker Cook, all of Amarillo, and Hunter and Logan Gilmore, both of Katy; great-great niece, Chloe Howard of Amarillo; siblings, Levi Bailey III of Horseshoe Bay, Brent Bailey of Dallas, Deborah Taylor of Stillwater, Charlene Williams and husband Larry of Kennesburg, Colorado, Becky Campbell and husband Richard of Lake Worth, and Neva Sledge and husband Scott of Comanche; brother-in-law, Larry Hadley; and numerous other nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
Please sign the online register at www.carmichael-whatley.com.
