Emma Barkley

Emma Virginia Barkley, 102, of Waco, Texas died October 21, 2016. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday October 24, at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco with the Rev. Ken James officiating. Family will remain at the graveside for a visitation after the service.

Born Emma Virginia Smith in Childress, Texas on July 27, 1914, she was a graduate of Childress High School and Texas Tech University. She married John D. Barkley, Jr. August 26, 1938 in Hannibal, Missouri where he was playing professional baseball. After moving to Waco, she raised her family and was an elementary school teacher in Waco ISD for 25 years.

She was a longtime member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and was active in various church ministries. She was involved with the Meals on Wheels Program, and was dedicated to bible study programs in the church. She took great pleasure in teaching young children to read in after school programs. She loved her family, friends, traveling, reading and all sports, especially baseball.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2000.

She is survived by her daughter, Betty Flowers and husband, Tom Flowers of Waco; her son, Bill Barkley and wife, Fay Barkley of Lumberton, Texas; six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels.

Her family would like to express their gratitude for the wonderful care given her by the staff, nurses, and aides on the 4th floor of St. Catherine’s.