Anna Jane Carroll Witt's Obituary
Anna Jane Carroll Witt (Barnes) formerly of Longview, TX passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2020 in Fort Worth. Memorial Services will be held in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 2 pm, Dr. Jay Jackson officiating. A reception at the home of Billy Vaticulos at 40 Covington, Dr in Longview will be at 3 pm. Burial will be at the Highlands Cemetery of Pawnee, OK on December 28, 2020. Please observe proper Covid-19 protocols.
Known as Anna, Anna Jane, or Ann, she was born on April 19, 1926 in Shreveport, LA to Sam and Jessie Carroll. After her father’s early death, the family returned to their maternal family home in Thomasville, Georgia. Anna met Galen Barnes in Thomasville at a USO dance as he was in flight-training for the Army Air Corps. They were married in March of 1945 upon completion of his tour of duty as a fighter pilot in the Mediterranean and European theater. They traveled throughout the Eastern United States as he worked in the pipeline construction business. They followed the pipeline to Minneapolis, MN in 1952 and Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1959. After changing to sales of heavy construction equipment the family moved to Oklahoma City in 1969 and finally to Longview in 1971. Galen passed away in 1979.
Anna worked at the Longview City Library from 1974 to 1983. She married James S. Witt of Longview, Texas on January 1, 1982. They enjoyed travel and entertaining friends for many years. Mr. Witt was one of the original Texas Eastman managers from Tennessee and served as Mayor of Longview in the 1960’s. He passed away in 2004.
Anna made lifelong friends wherever she lived. She was competitive. She loved to swim, golf, play bridge and shop. When she could no longer golf, she transitioned to the bridge table and made a new group of friends. She was a member of several bridge clubs. Our mother was a great entertainer and fabulous cook.
Anna loved her church and friends at First United Methodist Church and Winterfield United Methodist Church where her son was pastor from 2011-15.
Anna is survived by her children, Terry Barnes Lynch and husband Doyce (deceased) of Arlington, TX; Jay Barnes and wife Judy of Georgetown, TX.; Janet Barnes Odell and husband David of Wichita, Kansas. Her grandchildren are Charles Barnes and wife Kim of Round Rock, TX; Grant Barnes and wife DeSay of Vacaville, CA; Bryan Odell of Wichita, KS; and Jessica Odell of Washington D.C. She has two great granddaughters, Nadalynn and Stella Odell of Wichita, KS. Niece Peggy and husband Jack Holzbach of Canfield, Ohio; Nephew Tom and wife Mary Beth Kennedy of Chicago, IL. Extra loved ones include Tom and Marcy Walton of Arlington, TX and their children Trey of Denver, CO and Karen of Arlington, TX; Jana Lynch and Kevin Stepp of Ruidoso, NM; Hollis and Mary Lynch of Lubbock, TX; Paula Thomas of Longview; Billy Vaticolos, and Cleburne McCallister of Longview, and Patsy Gray Henderson of Longview.
Memorial gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church, Asbury House and Newgate Mission of Longview. Gifts may be made to Mission Arlington of Arlington, TX.
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