Velda Jean Barnard

VELDA JEAN POGUE BARNARD peacefully entered Heaven's gates on May16, 2013 at the age of 84. She was at home surrounded by the ones she laughed with, lived for, and loved. For almost eight years she battled ovarian cancer with courage, strength, and determination. She was a wonderful role model and an inspiration to all who knew her. Velda was born Sept. 10, 1928 to Edmond Everett and Beulah Hall Pogue, in Cameron, Okla. After graduating from Ft. Smith High School in 1946 she then attended Ouachita Baptist College. While there she was active in the Baptist Student Union, Student Senate, Young Women's Association, Ouachita Players, Alpha Psi Omega, and was chosen to be in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech from Ouachita Baptist College in 1950. Upon graduation, Velda moved to Little Rock and worked at the Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine as secretary to Editor B.H. Duncan. She met Paul Leslie Barnard Jr. at 2nd Baptist Church in Little Rock, and they were married on Sept. 2, 1951. Velda taught 6th grade in the North Little Rock and Little Rock schools for 12 years, worked with Teen Challenge, and co-founded Friendship International, an outreach organization for international women in the Little Rock area. She served as director in the early years and made many lifelong friends from other countries. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for many years until 1990 when she joined Immanuel Baptist Church where she was a faithful member of the LLL Sunday School class and also served in the prayer room. She enjoyed many happy times with her Thursday Study Club friends. Velda was caring and compassionate towards others, often witty, and was always telling people about her Savior and Lord Jesus. She leaves behind a strong legacy as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Velda was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Beulah Pogue. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Paul Leslie Barnard; two children, Paul David Barnard and his wife, Patty, of Germantown, Tenn., Beverly Wait and her husband Bernard, of Little Rock; five grandchildren, Brett Wait and his wife Jill, Audrey Barnard, Rachel Wait Ekenseair and her husband John, Christen Barnard Hansen and her husband John, Stephen Wait, and two great-grandchildren, Lilah Hansen and Benjamin Wait. Visitation will be Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 West 12th St., Little Rock, Ark. Funeral services will be Monday, May 20, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary of Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, Ark. Graveside service will be at Roselawn Memorial Park, Little Rock, Ark. Memorials may be made to: Immanuel Baptist Church, Bereavement Fund (or other ministry of your choice), 501 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72211. Please send the family your messages of love, comfort and support to her online guestbook at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.