Betty Lynn Tyson Barnes

Betty Lynn Tyson Barnes, 71, of Hamburg passed away Sunday, February 18, 2018 surrounded by her family and best friends.  Adoringly known to her grandchildren and their friends as “Hibee,” Betty Lynn was a resident of Hamburg her entire life as well as a life-time member of the Hamburg First United Methodist Church.  After graduating from Hamburg High School in 1964, Betty Lynn then graduated from Draughton Business School in Monroe, Louisiana and worked as an executive secretary at Georgia-Pacific Corporation in Crossett.  After the birth of her first child, she became a full time stay at home mom.  She, at that time, cultivated her love for flowers and turned her yard into a showplace that was especially beautiful during Spring. Later, Betty Lynn was employed by the Hamburg School District for 21 years where she served as the Coordinator of the Parents as Teachers Program, allowing her to develop loving relationships that lasted throughout her entire life. Betty Lynn, during her career, also served as the district wide volunteer coordinator. No small task, she organized the annual district wide Volunteer Program Banquet where she tirelessly honored her beloved volunteers each year with an extravagant celebration - one of the most anticipated events of the year.  Betty Lynn made sure all 500 attendees were given nice gifts for their dedicated volunteerism. She also especially enjoyed her position as a liaison between the Hamburg School District and Day Springs.  During this time, she touched the lives of many individuals who still talk about her kindness and genuine love for those with whom and for whom she worked.  But during this period of Betty Lynn’s life, her most favorite job was taking her granddaughter, Gracie, to school every day and eating lunch with her in the school cafeteria - she never missed a single day.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Louise “Sis” Campbell Tyson, a brother, Wesley Tyson, and a beloved great-niece, Rosamond Barnes.

Betty Lynn’s entire life was devoted to her two children, daughter, Terri Riley and husband, Mike, and son, Bill Barnes, all of Hamburg, her two grandchildren, Gracie Campbell Riley of Hamburg and Ashton William Barnes of Lake Village; two sisters, Judy Sessions and husband, Steve, of Dumas and Tricia Tyson of Hamburg, a brother, Bill Tyson and wife, Bernadeth, of Jacksonville, Florida; her loving nieces’ families: Julie and Gene Barnes and Bruin of Hamburg, Sally and Matthew Feilke and Harper, John David and Wesley of Stuttgart, Jennifer and Daniel Dickinson and Taylor and Reagan of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Jessica and Andrew Telega of Coral Springs, Florida.

Memorial services are 2 p.m., Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Greg Comer and James McAlister officiating. Inurnment will be in the First United Methodist Church Columbarium. Honorary pallbearers are Phil Barnes, Rob Barnes, Gene Barnes, Sonny Lassiter, Connie Carter, Tommy Evans, Jimmy Murphy, James Warlick, Errol Barrett, Matthew Feilke, Willie Mays, Lloyd Collins and Walter Hill.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Pilots for Patients 3127 Mercedes Drive, Monroe, LA 71201 or online at www.pilotsforpatients.org.  

The family would like to express deep gratitude and thanks to all the nurses of the second floor of Ashley County Medical Center who gave Betty Lynn great joy during her final stay and to Dr. Malik as well as her beloved Janay Jacks - both cherished friends. And finally, great appreciation goes to Dr. Wilson who selflessly gave his time caring for Betty Lynn and to the wonderful staff of Hospice Home Care of Monticello.

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