PATSY RUTH UPSHAW BARNWELL a caring wife, mother,
grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, went to her
eternal heavenly home on Nov. 12, 2021. After a
three-year battle with cancer, she died peacefully
in her home in Rockwall, TX, with her husband,
daughters, and sisters by her side, with burial
in the Hickory Grove Baptist Church cemetery
at Coushatta, LA.
Born in Shreveport on Nov. 20, 1950, to Earl & Erma
True Upshaw, Patsy went on to work for Western
Electric in Shreveport and Denver before retiring
to focus on her family, which always came first
for her.
With her servant’s heart, Patsy devoted her life
to her loved ones and her Savior Jesus Christ. Her
selflessness, compassion and love for others knew
no bounds – she always put her loved ones before
herself even as she bravely faced cancer. She was
the very embodiment of home, with a gift for making
all feel loved and welcomed everywhere she went –
whether on travels with her husband, visiting
family for the holidays, or in the kitchen at
home.
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Earl
& Erma True Upshaw, her sister Dorothy Bittick,
her brother Russell Upshaw, & her niece Annette
Cason.
Patsy is survived by her husband of 44 years,
Jim Barnwell; daughter Leigh McLeod, and husband,
Frank, of Rockwall; daughter Ann Harlow, and
husband, Chris, of Royse City, Texas; grand-
children Tyler McLeod; Alexis Griffith and
husband, Kenny; Savannah Pryor; and Carley Pryor;
and great grandson, Axle Griffith. She also leaves
behind four siblings: Betty Klein; Judy Lockey and
husband, Jimmy; Donnie Upshaw and wife, Murriel;
and Wayne Upshaw and wife, Denise, all of Hickory
Grove; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews,
relatives, and friends.