Florence Barrett, 88

Born: Sept. 21, 1924

Died: Jan. 19, 2013

Florence Barrett, 88, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, with her family surrounding her with love.

Her life began on Sept. 21, 1924, in Elmwood Park, Ill., the daughter of Olaf Christian Ericksen and Mary Emma Townsend- Ericksen.

She was united in marriage to Robert J. Barrett on June 11, 1950, in Decatur.

Florence was an avid Bible study student and participated in many small group studies during her lifetime.

She had been a Certified Lay Speaker with the United Methodist Church and preached in her home churches as well as other area churches. Her favorite room in her home was her family kitchen and Florence was a wonderful cook. She especially loved baking and almost always had a banana cake in the freezer, ready to frost for family or guests. Her Danish pastries were delicious! Her extended family always looked forward to her gifts of Christmas cookies and chocolate-covered cherries.

She especially loved the Christmas season and for over 18 years enjoyed opening her home for a Christmas open house for friends and family.

Her loving family includes: her children, Diane J.(Richard) Barrett-Curtis of Dowagiac, Robin S. (Lee) Ballou of Wyoming, Mich., Kim M. Fergison of Dowagiac, James (Elizabeth) Barrett of Lawton and Kelly (Steve) Mize of South Bend, Ind.; grandchildren, Jennifer Downer, Brent Fergison, Sidney (Randy) Rank, Sam (Renee) Ballou, Jacob (Kristin) Ballou, Hazen Barrett and Carson Barrett; great-grandchildren, Anastasia, Anwar and Aiden Downer, Rylee and Carter Ballou; sister, Bessie Maye Post of Waco, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by: a son, David, in 1972; her husband, Robert, in 2005; sister, Mary A. Durso; and brother, William H. Erickson.

Her family will gather with friends on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel.

Her memorial service will be at Silver Creek United Methodist Church on Wednesday at 11 a.m. led by Pastor Heather McDougall. She will be laid to rest in Hamilton Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to ACTION (Area Churches Together in One Network) or Cass County Council on Aging-Front Street Crossing.  Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Florence at www.yazel-clark.com.