Jo Eva Barber

December 22, 1924 – September 30, 2008

Jo Eva (Honey) Barber went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 30, 2008.  She was born in Richland, TX on December 22, 1924 to Joe and Lorena O'Connell.  Her early married life was spent raising her family in LaMarque, TX until 1968 when she relocated to Denton, TX.  She was retired from the Denton State School where she was the secretary to the Superintendent and spent the remainder of her life as a volunteer on campus.  She recently received recognition for 39 years of volunteer service work at the State School.  Jo was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Denton, TX since 1968, and was an active member in the Stephens Ministry and the Emmaus Group.

Memorial Services will be held at 3pm on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at the Columbia United Methodist Church in West Columbia, TX; and on Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 10am at the First United Methodist Church in Denton, TX.

She is survived by two sons Tommy Barber and his wife, Shearin, of Hitchcock, TX; Doug Barber and his wife, Michele, of Shady Shores, TX; a foster daughter, Debbie Gribble of Colorado Springs, CO; her sister, Gloria Eernisse and her husband, Richard, of West Columbia, TX; grandchildren Dr. Kimber Lee Barber Holmes and her husband, Bryan; John Thomas Barber II, and wife, Stacey; Dr. Allison Barber Gibbs and her husband, Joel.  She had six great grandchildren: Nelson Holmes and Simon Holmes of Clear Lake, TX, Ava Francis Barber, Ella Sophia Barber, and John Thomas Barber III (Trace) of League City, TX, and Gentry Ryan Gibbs of Corinth, TX.  Survivors also include nieces Charlotte Eernisse Nugent, and husband, Kenneth; Sherry Eernisse Bolton, and husband, Barry; Beverly Eernisse Stanford, and husband, Randy; and Barbara O'Connell Williamson, and husband, Joe. In addition, she is survived by nieces and nephew Linda Blum, Sammie Sue Wingate, and Larry Wingate, along with her many special friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Joe O'Connell; mother, Lorena O'Connell; brother, James O'Connell, niece, Charmayne Barber Street, nephew, Gary Barber, and great nephew, Chris Lewis.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Volunteer Services of the Denton State School or the charity of your choice.