Jean Ralston Barns

Jean Ralston Barns, 89, beloved Mother, Sister, Aunt and Friend, of Lakeview Village, Lenexa, Kansas, passed away April 17, 2012. Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Lakeview Village, Heritage Activity Room, 9100 Park, Lenexa, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Crossroads Hospice, 9237 Ward Parkway, Suite 300, Kansas City, Missouri 64114, www.Crossroads Hospice.com. Jean was born May 3, 1922 in Columbia, Missouri, daughter of Lawrence T. and Minnie S. Ralston. She graduated from Hickman High School (1939), Christian College, Columbia, Missouri (1941) and the University of Missouri-Columbia (1943). On September 25, 1943 Jean married Rush Barns in Columbia, Missouri. After their marriage they lived in Kansas City, Missouri, Omaha, Nebraska, moving to Prairie Village, Kansas in 1956 where they raised their family. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority Alumni Kansas City Chapter, and was named the chapter’s Kappa Alpha Theta of the Year in 1971. Jean was also a longtime member of the Village Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder. She and Rush owned the Ad-Craft Line, Inc. in Kansas City, MO until their retirement, after taking over the business from her father. Jean was an avid bridge player, MU Tiger, KC Chiefs and KC Royals fan. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rush Barns in 2000 and brother Robert T. Ralston in 2009. Jean is survived by her son Larry Barns of New York, New York; daughter Betsy Barns of Washington, DC; brother James S. and wife Susan Ralston of Lawrence, Kansas; sister-in-law Alice Ralston of Midland, Michigan; nieces Julie, Joi, Natalie, Meghan, Amy, and Ann; nephew Kevin; many grand-nieces, grand-nephews, extended family and friends. She will be greatly missed. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home in Kansas City, MO.