Bessie Evelyn Barnhart, age 79, of Jefferson City formerly of Meta, passed away Sunday, December 25, 2011, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City. She was born in Jefferson City on February 17, 1932, daughter of the late William Jennings Bryan and Altha Mae (Ricker) Woody. On April 20, 1968, in Vienna, Evelyn married Kelles Earl Barnhart, who preceded her in death on September 1, 1981.

Evelyn and her family moved to Meta in 1943. She attended Vienna High School and graduated in 1950.

She was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast and loved traveling and playing dominoes with her family. She and her husband enjoyed deer hunting in Colorado. Evelyn and Kelles owned and operated Rainbow Cattle Ranch in Maries County. She was very proud to have provided the Patio and Fountain Gardens at the Goldschmidt Cancer Center in memory of her late husband.

She is survived by one daughter, Kimberly (Parker) Payne and one sister, Helen M. (Woody) Schanzmeyer, both of Jefferson City.

A Graveside Service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2011 in Stokes Cemetery near Meta.

Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Meta.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Goldschmidt Cancer Center, 1432 Southwest Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65109 or to Stokes Cemetery, c/o Betty Helton, Mid-America Bank, Meta, MO 65058.