Elizabeth Daye Barnes (née Ratcliff), 83, passed into eternal rest on August 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her home in Pineville, Missouri.  Born in Jackson, Mississippi on June 28, 1941, she was the only daughter of Allen Isaac Ratcliff, Jr. and Arry Elizabeth Wilson. Elizabeth was the keystone of her family and a wellspring of love, compassion, wit, and sincere frankness to all who knew her.

Elizabeth graduated from Brandon High School and continued her education at Hinds Community College. Soon after, she was newly married and a stay-at-home mom who raised two sons.  Then in 1980, she became a dedicated single mother to her daughter.  With her mother's encouragement, Elizabeth returned to school at the age of 40 and graduated from the Hinds Community College Nursing Program in 1985.  She dedicated 23 years of her life to nursing, beginning with two years at the University of Mississippi Children's Hospital.  She then spent the next 21 years at the G.V. Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center, where she touched the lives of many with her care, leadership, and compassion.

Beyond her professional life, Elizabeth was a lifelong member of Liberty Baptist Church in Flowood, Mississippi until she moved to Missouri to be close to her daughter. Her passions included sewing, painting, worrying about her children, and tending to her roses. She had a fondness for caring for her hummingbirds, a hobby that brought her immense joy and peace.

Elizabeth is survived by her brother, Charles Ratcliff (Dell); her children, Brett Luna (Dona), Sean Luna, Chris Barnes (Jay), and Sara Boyd (Nick); and her grandchildren, Jaime Ryland, Billy Luna, and Ashley Barnes. She was preceded in death by her father, Allen Isaac Ratcliff, Jr.; her mother, Arry Elizabeth Wilson; and her brothers, Robert Allen Ratcliff, and Phillip Ratcliff; along with many other cherished family members.

Elizabeth will be deeply missed, not only by her family but by all who were fortunate to have known her. Her legacy of love, creativity, devotion, and gentle orneriness will long be remembered by those left behind who she inspired and influenced.

Elizabeth's family will hold a celebration of her life on the following dates.

Arkansas Memorial:

·         Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Bella Vista Funeral Home, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715.

Mississippi Memorial:

·         Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Brandon, 309 S. College Street, Brandon, MS 39042

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We tend not to think much about it but it's a certainty that the number of breaths we take in our lives will equal the number we let out.  Were it not for the first, we would not be here.  The last must be so, because we cannot stay.  In between, we should use them often to tell our cherished ones that we love them, while we still have breath to share.