Edith Marie Hanna “Edie” Barkas was born March 19, 1936, in Dubach, Louisiana and went home to be with the Lord in Covington, Louisiana on October 18, 2023, at the age of 87.
She was a devoted wife for 65 plus years to William Matthew “Bill” Barkas of Minden, Louisiana.
She was “Mama” to Jessica Welch (Lavon), Bill Barkas, Jr. (Julie), and Hanna Peshoff (Jeff).
She was “MawMaw” to grandchildren Rachel Welch, Nathan Welch (Sima), Jonathan Welch (Brittany), Meredith Welch, Matthew Barkas (Morgan), Grant Barkas, Will Peshoff, Sarah Didier (Logan), Mary Peshoff, and John Clark Peshoff.
She had 12 great grandchildren—Ronin Welch, Kason Welch, Barron Welch, Ruston Welch, Joseph Welch, Luke Welch, James Welch, Ruth Barkas, Brooks Barkas, Grace Barkas, Vera Didier, and Irene Didier.
She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Hanna Fowler, of Ruston.
Edie was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Barkas, her parents, Jessie Patrick Hanna and Robert Barney Hanna, four brothers, Robert Barney Hanna, Jr., Richard Hanna, Lloyd Hanna, and Charles Hanna, one sister, Lettie Aulds, and three grandsons, Benjamin Barkas, Joshua Welch, and Caleb Welch.
She was a proud 1958 graduate of Louisiana Tech University (then Louisiana Polytechnic Institute) with a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and remained a faithful Bulldog supporter all her years, holding season football tickets for 55 years. She even attended every Tech home football game so far this season. She graduated from Dubach High School where she was an excellent student and played on the girls’ basketball team.
Edie spent the first several years of her marriage and motherhood as a homemaker, stay-at-home mom, and faithful volunteer for her children’s activities which included Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Once her youngest child started kindergarten, she began working as a lab tech, x-ray tech, and EKG tech and was employed by various doctor’s offices in Minden. During this time, she served as a Sunday school teacher and youth parent leader and offered her sewing talents whenever a costume was needed for one of her children’s activities.
In her later years and after retiring, she filled her time traveling to see her grandchildren in their various sports, speech and debate, and other extracurricular activities, working at the election polls, and volunteering at First United Methodist Church in various capacities. She helped with creating the beautiful church seasons banners that are still in use at the church. She and Bill volunteered yearly for the Minden St. Jude’s fundraiser, helping to make and sell beignets She also participated in Bible Study Fellowship.
She was known for her sewing, crocheting, and cooking skills and had a remarkable eye for detail. She was fiercely loyal and somewhat competitive, which made her a die-hard sports fan, following not only Tech sports, but also NFL football and NBA basketball. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren dearly, and they knew it. She would hold babies for hours and kept every “creation” her grandchildren gave her. Throughout their years of marriage, she and Bill created a home that was a welcome and safe spot for family, extended family, and friends. She was a believer in Jesus Christ and demonstrated that through serving her family, church, and community.
Services will be Saturday, October 28, 2023, at First Methodist Church in Minden with visitation to begin at 10:00am and the service to begin at 1:00pm. Graveside service will follow the funeral service at Hamilton Cemetery in Dubach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude’s or First Methodist Church, Minden.
Rose Neath Funeral Home
Minden, Louisiana 71055