Funeral services for Bettye Holiday Barnes will be held Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in The Chapel of Downs Funeral Home of Marshall, Texas. Interment will follow at Grange Hall Cemetery. A visitation will be held Friday, September 28, 2018 from 6 - 8:00 p.m. at Downs Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that any donations be made to the charity of their choice.

Bettye Jo Holiday Barnes, age 92, went to be with her Heavenly Father, peacefully, on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at 2:15p.m. at Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall, Texas. She was born in Gilmer, TX on June 22, 1926 to Claude Columbus and Irene Viola (Phillips) Holiday.

Bettye was preceded in death by her parents Claude and Irene Holiday; her husband of 68 years, James Edward Barnes; her 17 year old son, Paul Edward Barnes; one brother, Grady Eugene "Buddy" Holiday; five sisters: Catherine Holiday Quillin, Faye Dell Holiday Wallace, Evelyn Frances Holiday Vawter, Donnie Mae Holiday Wilson, and Othel Holiday Little.

Bettye is survived by her daughter, Rebecca "Becky" Jo Barnes Kastrop of Houston, TX; her granddaughters, Lori Kastrop Pennington of Houston, TX, and Major Leslie Lynn Kastrop, USAF of Tacoma, WA; grandson-in-law, Robert Todd Pennington of Houston, TX; granddaughter-in-law, Major Kathryn Leigh Benson, USAF of Tacoma, WA; great granddaughters, Cadence Liana Pennington of Houston, TX, and Emily Ryan Kastrop of Tacoma, WA; her brother, Colonel Robert Carrol "Doc" Holiday, USAF, Ret. of Denver, CO; half brother and sister, David Brian Holiday of Tucker, GA, and Ann Elizabeth Holiday Green of Carthage, TX; sisters-in-law, Bettye Faye Barnes Grable of Waskom, TX and Linda Moore Holiday of Denver, CO; nephews, Gary Eugene Vawter and wife, Victoria RaJean, of Canton, TX; James Larry Wilson and wife, Sylvia Russell Wilson, of Tyler, TX; Tom Little and wife, Susan, of Dallas, TX; Steve Holiday and wife, Deb, of Centennial, CO; Clay Holiday and wife Robyn of Denver, CO; Scott Holiday and wife, Nilou of Denver, CO; and Curt Holiday and wife, Sandy, of Phoenix, AZ; nieces, Jane Little Moore of Hawkins, TX; Jessica Wallace Woodard of Albuquerque, NM; Mrs. Bob (Angela) Quillin of Lufkin, TX; Celia Claire "C.C." Barnes of Santa Barbara, CA; Terri Jo Simmons of Los Angeles, CA; and Elizabeth "Beth" Cecelia Simmons and husband, Rodney Riddle, of Richmond, TX; including numerous cousins, great nieces, great nephews and a host of friends whom she held dear.

Bettye was a resident of Marshall, Texas for 76 years. She was an active member of the Church of Christ in Marshall - first at East Burleson Street and later, at the congregations' new location, Eastern Hills Church of Christ. Bettye graduated from Marshall High School, Class of 1943, and attended two years of college. Her freshman year, she attended Texas Women's University and completed her sophomore year at East Texas Baptist College. Bettye's entire career was spent serving the State of Texas. She retired as an Administrative Assistant, Department of Employment Services with the State Department of Health and Human Services. Upon retirement, in August of 1995, Bettye was recognized, at a special ceremony in Austin, Texas, as the longest working state employee in the State of Texas.

Through the years, Bettye loved time spent with her son and daughter, her granddaughters and most recently, her two precious great grandbabies, Cadence and Emily, who literally lit up her life.

Bettye enjoyed her active years as a member of her women's investment club; reading and traveling with her husband, James, in the family Airstream. Her favorite past time was sitting on the front porch of her home where she delighted in her view of the colorful, never-ending blooms that would pop up in the flower garden that her husband, James, had planted. Bettye especially enjoyed watching the playful squirrels, bunnies and large variety of birds who would visit her yard and feeders; and loving on the occasional stray cat or neighbor dog who would wander up. She welcomed - and looked forward to - friends and her beloved Lynoak neighbors dropping by to sit a while and visit. Bettye's family and friends will feel her loss, and will miss her warm, gentle spirit, but will have her, always, in their hearts and in the many sweet memories they shared.