Lola Jean Barkley
Lola Jean Barkley was born in Eminence, Missouri on January 2, 1935, the daughter of Roy Sears and Rosa “Rosie” (Nichols) Fansler. She passed away in her home in Winona, Missouri with her husband and daughters by her side on September 12, 2020, at the age of 85.
Lola graduated from Eminence High School in 1952. She lived and worked briefly in St. Louis, Missouri, before coming back to Shannon County and marrying Max Barkley, on November 7, 1953. To this union, five children were born; Larry, Max, Jr., Dana, Nolan “Tony”, and Margaret.
Lola is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Rosie Fansler; sister, Ruth Akers; brother, Luke Fansler; infant son, Larry Barkley; grandson, Nolan Anatone “T.J.” Barkley, Jr.; great-grandson, Bray Barkley; and son-in-law, Michael Reese.
Lola is survived by her husband of 66 years, Max E. Barkley, Sr. of Winona, MO; son, Max E. Barkley, Jr. and wife, Rita of Scottsboro, AL; daughter, Dana K. Reese of Mountain View, MO; son, Nolan
Anatone “Tony” Barkley, Sr. and wife, Gina of Winona, MO; and Margaret McAfee and husband, Troy of Winona, MO; grandchildren Amber (Russ) O’Rear and family, of Harvest, AL; Ashley (Edward) Pettyjohn and family, of Henegar, AL; Laura Jo (Jimmy) Massa and family, of Greenwood, AR; Justin (Jana) Barkley and family, of Crossville, AL; Stephanie Reese and family, of Mountain View, MO; Andria Barkley and family, of Winona, MO; Emily (Michael) Snyder and family, of Winona, MO; and Tori McAfee of Winona, MO. She is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Lola served in education as a paraprofessional for 30 years in the Winona R-III School district, all the while going to college and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Lola retired from the Winona R-III School district as a learning disabilities teacher and the Special Education Director in 1997. After retiring, she enjoyed volunteering at the Twin Pine’s Conservation/Education Center, going antiquing, working at and going to public auctions, and sewing as a hobby.
Recently Lola attended the New Testament Church of Jesus Christ in Winona, Missouri, and claimed this as her church. She enjoyed the special singings held monthly and the Christmas programs.
The family invites all in a celebration of Lola’s life with a visitation on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at Yarber Mortuary in Winona, Missouri, with Pastors Troy McAfee and Mark Barkley officiating. Interment will be in Pine Lawn Cemetery in Winona, Missouri. Dinner to follow at Winona Assembly God Church in Winona, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com. Memorial contributions can be expressed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
