BARNETT

Luella S. Barnett, 92, of Biloxi, Miss., died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Biloxi.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at at Pinelawn Memorial Park, in Southern Pines.
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 was and the very full life that she 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 Aug. 22, 1920, and the date of her passing was Sept. 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 spent her “dash” very well. Luella Stark Barnett was born and grew up in Spring Valley, N.Y. 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; and 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.
Online condolences may be made at www.bradford
okeefe. com.
Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Biloxi, Miss., is assisting the family.