Luella S. Barnett

Mrs. Luella S. Barnett, 92, of Biloxi, MS, died Tuesday, September 11, 2012, in Biloxi. As we mourn, grieve and process the passing of our precious mom, Luella S. Barnett, we, her four sons, are reminded of the wonderful person she has been and the very full life that she has lived. She lived her life often for the benefit of others especially for her family, friends and those around her in need of a friend. Someone once stood to speak at a funeral of a woman much like our mom. He referred to the dates that were as bookends of her life, from the beginning to the end. He noted that first came her date of birth. Mom's was August 22, 1920 and the date of her passing was September 11, 2012. And spoke the following date with tears, 1920 - 2012. But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that our mom spent alive on earth…and how only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash….What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our "dash". Mom, Luella Stark Barnett spent her dash very well. Luella was born and grew up in Spring Valley, New York. She was the cherished wife of Richard Barnett until his death in 1993. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto Max Dieffenbach and Eleanor Dieffenbach, as well as her brothers, Ottie and Bob. The legacy of her wonderful life lives on in the lives of her four sons, Bruce (Cathy), Wayne (Janice), Bob (Debbie), and Terry (Chris); in the lives of her grandchildren, Tammy (George), Scott (Patricia), Krystin, Rick, John (Stephanie), Rich (Kristin), Jimmy, John (Saira), Keith (Monica), Josh (Alicia), Dan (Beth), Michelle (David), Teri-Anne, and Shannon; and in the lives of her great grandchildren: from Bruce: Abby, Connor, Emma and Ryan; from Wayne: Kaela and Aidan; from Bob: Max, Ben, Mikaella, Janessa, Aliya, Gavin, Brendan, Jaron, Edan, David, Eowyn, Eyva, Jordan Savannah, Clay, Selah, Kaitlyn, Landon and Collin; from Terry: Jake and Aubry. Luella dedicated her life…her dash…to her husband, her family and to her friends. To know her was to love her. No words are adequate to convey the dash of a life so well lived. Thank you, Mom…We love you. We thank you. We admire you. We miss you. Mrs. Barnett will be sent from Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 2511 Pass Road, in Biloxi to Pinehurst, North Carolina for graveside services on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Pinelawn Memorial Park.