Bessie Inez Barkes

Feb. 27, 1921 - Jan. 23, 2017

Date of Service: Jan. 30, 2017

Bessie Inez Barkes

BURLEY – Bessie Inez Randell Barkes, age 95, of Burley, died Monday, Jan 23, 2017, at Pomerelle Place, in Burley, where she had been living since April of 2016.

Bessie was born in Picabo, Idaho Feb. 27, 1921, the eighth of ten children born to Charles Lehi Randell and Sylvia Emily Mecham. She went to school in Murtaugh where she graduated in 1938. She married Clarence Lyle Barkes Aug. 19, 1939, at the Twin Falls county courthouse. They then honeymooned at Chicken Springs in the South Hills, our dad certainly was a romantic fellow. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1959 after Clarence joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Bessie’s family faced many challenges in her younger years. The family was very poor and never had many luxuries, not even some of the things that we don’t consider luxuries by today’s standard; but their mother was a wonderful cook and homemaker, so no matter their circumstances, they were well-fed and always neat and clean.

She worked very hard as a young girl, her mom cooked and cleaned at a hotel that used to be in Murtaugh. Bessie and her sisters helped their mother with all the duties that needed to be done in the hotel.

She was a hard worker and always kept a wonderful home for her own family. She loved working in her yard and it always looked beautiful. She baked many, many loaves of bread and pans of cinnamon rolls that were enjoyed by her family and lots of other people.

Bessie loved to give readings and shared her gift of doing this for many years. She would also be the master of ceremonies for many different events, which she loved doing. She was a bit of a drama queen, which is maybe why she was good at this. Her grandchildren loved this about her, they though she was hilarious, and she was. There was never a dull moment with Bessie.

The residents and workers at Pomerelle Place dearly loved her. She was so kind and complimentary to them. She really knew how to brighten their day of working so very hard. She always had something sweet to say to them and sometimes she said things that were a little bit naughty.

She loved all of her children and grandchildren so much. They were so dear to her. She had no favorites; they were all her favorite.

Bessie was a member of the LDS Church, where she served in many positions through the years. One of her favorites was working with the young women. She had so much fun with them and loved them so much and they loved her.

Bessie was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Clarence; her son, Stacy Barkes; two grandsons, Jeremy Barkes, and Brady Adams; her parents; and all of her siblings. They are surely having a happy reunion.

She is survived by her son, Stan (Dixie) Barkes; two daughters, Kathy (Larry) Adams, Becky Barkes and Patsy Barnes; 12 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and 24 great-great-grandchildren.

We would like to give our thanks as a family to Pomerelle Place for the wonderful care they gave our mother. They truly loved her and were so kind to her.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, the Pella LDS Church, 160 W. 400 S. of Burley, with Bishop Dee L. Seamons officiating. Burial will be at the Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls.

Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. preceding the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 878 Burley, Idaho 83318.