Obituaries

Martha Rae Barnes

Photo of Martha  Rae Barnes
Martha Rae Barnes, 84, former Chief of Psychology at McClelland VA Hospital in Little Rock and Fort Roots VA Hospital in North Little Rock, died Wednesday, June 28th in Herndon, Virginia. Dr. Barnes received her Ph.D. as one of the first students in the Psychology Doctoral program at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and began working for the Veterans' Administration to serve America's veterans. She served the VA for 30 years, not only as Chief of Psychology in Little Rock, but her southern charm and unwavering work ethic led her to an appointment as the Deputy Director of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences for the Veterans' Administration serving in Washington D.C. where she remained until the time of her retirement. Dr. Barnes was a strong and determined woman who served as a role model leader for numerous successful women, including her daughter Laura, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of two books; her daughter Terri, a brilliant artist with a Doctorate in Psychology from Duke University; and her niece, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. Martha Rae Barnes was born August 1, 1932 to Les Rutledge and Ona Lou Dunphy at her grandmother Pearson's house in Floral, a small town in Independence County, Arkansas, and graduated as Valedictorian of Batesville High School in 1949. Dr. Barnes was a studious, outgoing young woman who loved to dance, ride horses, and enjoy life. She had an infectious smile which served her well throughout her life. Upon retirement, she became an avid NASCAR fan following the surge to stardom of Batesville-native Mark Martin. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gerald W. Barnes, and stepson, Raymond Barnes. She is survived by two daughters; Laura Sessions-Stepp (Carl) of Virginia and Teresa Kramer (Tom) of Maryland; two stepdaughters, Laura Grimes (Tom) of Texas and Theresa Lynn Palanjian (Shant) of Oregon; three grandchildren, Jennifer Kramer of Chicago, Jeff Stepp of Virginia, and Kimberly Gottfried (Bobby) of Maryland; a sister, Ann Suchecki (Ted) of California; a brother, Keith Rutledge (Nancy) of Maumelle, Ark.; half-brother, Mark Rutledge (Karen) and half-sister, Mary McGinty (Carl) of Independence County, Ark. Memorial Service to be held at Southside United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 5th, 2017 at 11 ..m. Interment to follow at Kyler Cemetery in Independence County, Ark. Arrangements made by Roller-Crouch Funeral Services of Batesville, Ark. www.rollerfunerlhomes.com/batesville.

Published July 4, 2017

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