07/09/2014
Phyllis Ilene (Hanna) Barnett was born on October 18, 1928, in rural Harvey, Iowa, the daughter of Cresco and Edith (Haines) Hanna.
She was the youngest of five children.
She spent her early childhood on a farm in Clay Township, Marion County, and then her family moved to Knoxville where she
graduated from Knoxville High School in 1946.
She was united in marriage to Clayborn Cornelius Barnett II on October 19, 1947, and the couple raised four children: Cindia, Jeannie, Andrea, and Clay C.
After graduation, Phyllis moved to Des Moines to work at Bankers Life. She was a homemaker until 1964 when she started working as the bookkeeper for the Knoxville Veterinary Clinic. She worked there until retiring in 1994. After retirement, she gave tours of Terrace Hill in Des Moines for many years.
Phyllis was a member of the Knoxville Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, ran the kitchen for special events, and where she practiced her deep faith in Jesus Christ.
Many years of her life were spent working in her flower gardens, singing, playing golf and bridge, writing poetry, home decorating, reading, and helping and enjoying family and friends.
Phyllis passed away at the age of 85 on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at Griffins Nursing Center in Knoxville, while in the presence of her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Cindi; sisters, Lucille McVay and Dorothy Core; and her brother, William Hanna.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 66 years, Clayborn; sister, Janice McDonnell of Des Moines, Iowa; daughters, Jeannie (Rick) Hutchings of Williamson, Iowa, and Andrea (Scott) Clark of Centerville, Iowa; son, Clay (Meta) Barnett of Bellevue, Nebraska; seven grandchildren, Wendi Eck of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Jeremy (Ashlee) Hutchings of Williamson, Iowa, Alicia Hutchings of Lovilia, Iowa, Lindsey (Mark) Mulnix of Washburn, Iowa, Brianne (Matthew) Thompson of Centerville, Iowa, Hanna Barnett of Bellevue, Nebraska and Dustin Barnett of Bellevue, Nebraska; eight great-grandchildren, Shelbi and Ashlin Alex, Lila Essick and Bently Hutchings, Liviya and Caleb Mulnix and Abel and Graham Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville with Pastor Brent Hanna officiating. Burial will follow in Breckenridge Cemetery in rural Knoxville. There will be no visitation.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to HCI Care Services.