Mary L. Barksdale

April 18, 1926 - May 7, 2014
Mary L. Barksdale

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Mary Louise Barksdale, 88, of New Port Richey, passed peacefully away at 12:18 pm on May 7th, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born on April 18, 1926 in Monongah, WV, to the late Rohl N. and Jennie V. Dillow. Her family moved to Philadelphia, PA in 1940 and it was there that she graduated from Simon Gratz High School and met her husband, the late Andrew J. “Andy” Barksdale, Jr. Mary and Andy were married on May 23, 1947 at Lehigh Baptist Church in Philadelphia. They relocated to St. Petersburg in 1951 after Andy secured a position with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. They moved to New Port Richey in 1981. Mary worked for over 60 years as a full charge bookkeeper. She “retired” three times, but always found her way back to the profession she loved. She left her final position in 2006, at the age of 80. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and could often be heard bragging about how proud she was of her family. Mary was a member of Hope United Methodist Church in Trinity, where she was active in several women’s Bible study groups and volunteered for Vacation Bible School and the annual Experience Bethlehem. She was also a life member of Electa Chapter #18, Order of the Eastern Star, where she served two terms as Worthy Matron, over 15 years as her chapter’s Secretary and one term as District Grand Instructor. In addition to her loving parents and devoted husband, Mary was preceded in death by her brothers Robert Dillow and Richard Dillow, her sisters, Sara Lee Brown, Eugenia Hamlin, Betty Byrne and Jeanette Wright and her daughter-in-law, Linda Dubler. She is survived by her son, Wayne Barksdale of Atlanta, GA; her daughters, Karen Farris and Nancy Frazier of New Port Richey; her grandchildren, Bryan Farris of Tampa, Steven Farris, Nicole Misemer and Mary Ann McCarthy, all of New Port Richey and Sam Barksdale of Atlanta, GA; her great-grandchildren, Jillian, Andrew and Max Misemer and Joey McCarthy, all of New Port Richey; her brother, Roger Dillow of Bensalem, PA; sisters, Helen Morrison of St. Petersburg, Lois Ritchey of Warminster, PA and Nancy Moore of St. Petersburg and over 100 nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home on Monday, May 12, 2014. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. with an Eastern Star Service at 11:30 a.m. Funeral Service at 12 p.m. officiated by Pastor Kelly Smith. Graveside service and interment immediately following at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater, where she will be laid to rest with her dear husband, Andy.


Service

Monday, May 12, 2014
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park - Directions
2860 Sunset Point Road
Clearwater, FL 33759

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  • May 10, 2014
    The Staff of Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home says:
    Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

  • May 10, 2014
    Anthony Cantillo says:
    Wayne so sorry for your lost of your mom. I lived in Gulfport as a boy. My friend was Wayne Barksdale.

  • May 10, 2014
    Kristi Theurer says:
    My deepest sympathy to Mary's family and friends. She was a very high-spirited, fun-loving woman. She was family oriented and always the life of any family gathering. I know her loss hurts deeply for those she loved and those who loved her, too. May her spirit and her memories comfort her family as they celebrate her long life here on Earth. We know she is now resting peacefully with her Maker.

  • May 10, 2014
    Chris Dillow says:
    Aunt Mary you will be sorely missed. A sad day for the family. May you rest in peace.

  • May 10, 2014
    Dennis Hootman says:
    Wayne,Nancy, and Karen, We loved Aunt Mary and look forward to seeing her in glory. May God's peace and strength be yours in coming days as we remember the remarkable mother,grandmother,great grandmother, and sister she has been down through the years. Prayerfully Yours and Thankfully His, Ginny and Dennis Hootman

  • May 10, 2014
    Helen Morrison says:
    My heart is sad because of the death of my dear sister, Mary. However, I do rejoice becuase I know she is in Heaven where there is no more pain and suffering. My sympathy goes out to all of her beatiful family,especially her son, Wayne, and ber daughters, Karen, Nancy and Chris and her very special grandchildren and great grandchildren. I am her oldest sister, and I will miss her so much. Heaven grows more precious as more and more of our lovedones go there. Love you all, Aunt Helen

  • May 10, 2014
    Ebbie Barksdale-VandenBrink says:
    Nothing you love is lost. Not really. Things, people - they always go away, sooner or later. You can't hold them, any more that you can hold moonlight. But if they've touched you, if they're inside of you, then they're still yours. The only things you ever really have are the ones you hold inside your heart.
    I pray for comfort for all those who are hurting from Mary's loss. She gave us all lots of memories which we will all cherish and later maybe even laugh.

  • May 11, 2014
    Lew Arnold says:
    Linda, Gabie, and I are sorry to hear of Mary's passing. I am grateful for the kind gift of her friendship.

  • May 15, 2014
    Brown Family says:
    Wayne, Karen and Nancy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families for the loss of your Mother and our Aunt Mary. She was a very special person and has left us with so many precious memories. Our sincerest sympathy. May God bless you during this difficult time and always.
    Love Gary, Sue and Alicia

  • June 07, 2022
    The Staff of Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home posted an image:
    Mary L. Barksdale
    Mary L. Barksdale

  • June 07, 2022
    The Staff of Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home posted an image:
    Mary L. Barksdale
    Mary L. Barksdale