Alma Fern Barnett

Alma Fern Barnett, devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away September 15, 2015.

Fern was born December 19, 1923 to Murray and Ethel Ball in Lorenzo, TX. In 1930, the family moved to Hobbs, NM where she attended school and graduated in 1940. She attended Eastern New Mexico College in Portales, NM and began her secretarial career working for the Sheriff and District Judge of Lea County, NM. Fern served as secretary for the John J. Watts Law Firm and Dixilyn Drilling Company. Beginning in 1988, Fern served as the manager of the Ector County Utility District where she worked until her retirement in 2010. After her retirement, she moved to the metroplex to be closer to family.

Fern was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church Odessa where she worked with college students and was director of adult ministries for 16 years. She also served on two search committees that brought pastors to First Baptist Church Odessa. In McKinney, TX, she joined Parkway Baptist Church where she helped organize a senior adult ministry.

Fern was preceded in death by her son William Kim Barnett in 2006, her parents, sister Earlene Kirksey, sister Wanda Merle Ball, brother Finis Ball, brother Glenn Ball, brother Stanley Ball, and brother-in-law Bo Walker.

Fern is survived by a grandson, Dr. Kris Barnett and his wife Kelly of Anderson, SC; a granddaughter, Kyla Kincaid and her husband Zach of Wylie, TX; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Barnett and her husband Bobby Simmons of Sachse, TX; seven great-grandchildren, Kenzie, Karsen, Noah, and Kassie Barnett of Anderson, SC, Brianna, Kimberly, and Nathan Kincaid of Wylie, TX; A sister, Robbye Walker of Odessa, TX; a sister-in-law, Joyce Ball of Odessa, TX and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 17, 2015 from 7PM-8:30PM at Hubbard Kelly. Burial will be at 10AM at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Memorial Service following at 11:00AM Friday, September 18, 2015 at Hubbard-Kelly Chapel.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.