Brenda Kay McAnear Barrett

Brenda Kay McAnear Barrett passed from this life at 4:47 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at the age of 75 years, and five months, and six days. She had been battling a lengthy illness to which she finally succumbed.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jerry Wayne Barrett of Canyon; three sons, Jay Barrett and wife Pam, Brian Barrett and girlfriend Julie Smith, and Chris Barrett and wife Christie; six grandchildren, Kristen Flowers and husband Darren, Benjamin Barrett, Parker Barrett and wife Kendra, Jeron Barrett, Trey Barrett, and, Payton Burkhart and wife Victoria; five great grandchildren, Leah Ji’an Flowers and brother Koen Shade Flowers, Eli Burkhart, Augustina Burkhart, Hayden Burkhart, all of whom were the light of her life; four sisters, Judy Monk and husband Bill, Debe Land and husband Steve, Sheliah Babbitt, and sister-in-law (and in-love) Mrs. Jimmy “Patty” Dean McAnear; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends – especially Rebecca Sotelo, Jessica Bristol, and Ms. Vicki Ward.

Friends and family were a major component of her character. She often hosted summer holiday cookouts with many as 50 persons in attendance.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Sellkirk and Lorene McAnear; her sister, Barbara; her husband, Ralph Harmon; and two brothers, Jimmy Dean McAnear and Cody McAnear.

Brenda was born in the Adair Hospital in Clarendon on November 15, 1944. She began her education in the Elementary School at Goodnight before transferring to Clarendon. In 1963, she was voted “Class Favorite.” (And she was that: “Class” and a Favorite!)

Over the course of her life, she lived in Clarendon, Shamrock, and Plainview as well as Hardesty and Texhoma, Okla., before settling in Canyon, where she has lived the last 47 years.

First a pastor’s wife, mother, and homemaker, she began her career working outside the home as a clerk in Simpson’s Western Auto in Texhoma, Okla. When the family moved to Canyon, she retired for three days and then took a job with Energas (then Pioneer Natural Gas), where she worked until she was able to take an early retirement.

She next worked as a secretary, at Mesa Verde Elementary in Amarillo, where she worked another decade before retiring permanently. She dearly loved all the kids and was beloved by them as well.

Active in politics, was elected president of the Potter/Randall Democratic Club and was the State Democratic Executive Committeewoman for the 31st Senate District. In the latter role, she was active in the campaigns that led to the election of the first Hispanic to a statewide office, Justice Raul Gonzales, and also Attorney General Danny Morales

It was her support at the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin, that enabled an Amarillo man, the Honorable Morris L. Overstreet, to have his name placed on the ballot to become the first African-American man elected to a statewide office.

She was also active in the campaigns of the senatorial bid of Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Governor Ann Richards, State Comptroller John Sharp, Potter County Judge Elisha Demerson, and County Judge Lewis C. Brazier. She was proud to have helped a Boys Ranch graduate, Bill Sarpalius, be elected to the office of US Congressman.

As committeewoman, she received an invitation to the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. In Washington, she stayed in the home of one of her Energas trainees, Ms. Elva Hippolito, now of Plainview
She has had an active life and brought joy and laughter to all those she encountered. She was greatly beloved and will be greatly missed.

A service was held at the Clarendon Sandell Drive-in at on Saturday evening, April 25.
The family requests all donations be mailed to Clarendon College, Brenda Kay Barrett Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 968, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com