Eva Annabelle Taylor Barnett

Eva Annabelle Taylor Barnett, age 100, passed away Friday, June 17, 2016. Eva Annabelle Taylor was born November 30, 1915, in the Fairmount Community, to John and Mattie (Twiggs) Taylor. She attended the Gentry schools for 12 years, graduating from Gentry High School in 1933. Eva and Ervie Barnett were married November 9, 1934. They lived on their farm near Gentry until Ervie was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. Eva traveled with him to various Army bases and towns during the first year of his tenure in the military. Just before Christmas, in 1943, Ervie was shipped to England where his unit was trained and prepared for what would become known as D-Day, June 6, 1944. He landed on Normandy's Omaha Beach. Eva lived and worked in Tulsa the two years Ervie was in Europe. At the end of World War II, the Barnetts returned to the Gentry area. Ervie owned and operated a sawmill with his brother-in-law, B.C. Wiles until 1949. From 1950-1956, Ervie and Eva operated the Dairy Queen franchise in Siloam Springs. Eva was the accountant/bookkeeper/office manager for Dodson's 5&10 in downtown Siloam Springs for 15 years, 1945-1960. She also attended John Brown University during this time, majoring in Business. Eva loved music and was a pianist. Ervie and Eva were great encouragers, with total involvement in every way possible, to their daughter's music education. In 1957, after deciding to build their own drive-in restaurant business, the Barnetts purchased a house and land at the corner of West Tulsa Street and South Wright Street in Siloam Springs, moving the house to the north side of the property and building the business on the south side of the property. Barnett's Dairyette was opened on June 4, 1957. Eva and Ervie were members of First Baptist Church in Gentry for many years. Eva served several years in the role as Training Union Director. Upon their move to Siloam Springs, they joined the Siloam Springs First Baptist Church on December 16, 1947, where she has been a member for 69 years. Eva taught Sunday School for 25 years to the girls who were 11th graders in high school. She served as church clerk for many years. Eva was a member of the adult choir, and, as a senior adult, sang with the JOY choir. She also founded the first-ever Home Bound Ministry in this church. Ervie and Eva spent 30 years serving actively as youth teachers, leaders and youth sponsors in First Baptist Church, Siloam Springs. In 1975, Eva became a licensed realtor in the State of Arkansas. She was the founding leader of the Brownie Troop 6 for two years. Eva is a former longtime member of the Siloam Springs Hospital Auxiliary, serving several terms as an officer in the auxiliary. She is a member of the West Point (Community) Study Club. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Upon their retirement, Ervie and Eva traveled extensively with friends and family, in particular their daughter and grandsons. Eva is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65+ years, Ervie (April 7, 2000). She is also predeceased by three brothers, Bert, Frank and Roy Taylor; five sisters Grace Ratcliff, Lena Parker, Jewell Harrison, Ruth Wasson and Norma Wiles, two nieces, Matta Jean MCDonald and Doris Zaharie; two nephews, Charles Ratcliff and Dave Wiles, and great-nephews Lew Harp, Eric Wiles and Timothy Wiles. Ervie and Eva Barnett are also preceded in death by their dear, forever-friends, Keith and Irene Ware. Eva is survived by their daughter, Janice Elaine and her husband, Steve Low, three grandsons, Joshua and his wife, Jennifer Harper, Siloam Springs, Luke and Elizabeth Harper, Bartlett, Tennessee, and Jake and Robin Harper, Bentonville; six great grandchildren, Haley, Macy, Boston, Caleb, Emily, and Hallie Harper, with one great-grandchild due this Fall. Other family members include nephews John Wasson, Clinton Wiles, and Bruce Wiles; nieces Betty Harp and Jane Treat and their families. A celebration of Eva's life will be held Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at 11:00 am, in the chapel of Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorials be made In Honor of Ervie and Eva Barnett to the Gentry Fire Department c/o Vester Cripps 521 West Third Street Gentry, AR 72734

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Eva Annabelle Taylor Barnett

November 30, 1915 - June 17, 2016