Mary Nell Barnhardt, age 70, of Battle Creek, MI, quietly passed away in her sleep January 26th, 2021 after losing her struggle with kidney failure. She was born on November 27, 1950 in Dothan, AL. She has been on dialysis for five years as she prepared to receive a kidney transplant. She successfully recovered from the coronavirus in June of 2020. In January of 2021, she chose to stop dialysis as it caused more complications, surgeries, and unbearable pain. This choice was not easy to make for friends, family nor herself.
Mary was born in Dothan, Alabama in the rocking 50s. She was beautiful, independent, and hardworking. Mary met Larry Barnhardt in May of 1968 in Guthrie, Oklahoma in a wild turn of fate. Larry was on a 45 day leave, just getting back from Vietnam. They left together for Fort Hood Texas after just dating one month. Larry asked for Mary's hand in marriage every year until she said yes. They were married on July 8th, 1976 after 8 proposals. They took the meaning of "Through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, until death do we part" to heart. Their love never wavered. Over the years, they lived in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and Michigan.
Mary showered people with love and compassion everywhere she went. She had a strong faith in Christ and believed in the power of prayer. She prayed for everyone around her. And when Mary prayed for you, miracles abounded. Mary was selfless in many ways, even when she was the one who needed it the most. That was the way she loved. That was the way she lived. That was the way she is today.
Mary was greeted by her mother, Mildred Irene (McArdle) Jarvis; her father, William Earl Jarvis; and three siblings: Charles Jarvis, Ethel May Fears, and Shirley Irene Jarvis. She is survived by three siblings: James R. Fears, Roberta Brooks, and Georgia "Faye" Johnson. As well as her husband, Larry Barnhardt; her son, Lance Barnhardt; and her stepdaughter, Carolynn Gökmen. She has 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. And many others that call her "Grandma", as she loved them as if they were her own.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015. Please visit
https://www.kempffuneralhome.com
to view the online obituary, sign the guest book or leave messages for the family.