Jo Ellen (Clark) Barnard's Obituary
A beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away on January 15, 2026 in Richardson, TX at age 85. She was preceded in death by her husband Lewis Allen Barnard and her parents Herman Clark and Neely (Best) Clark. She is survived by her daughters Cheryl Barnard Cox and Cathryn Melanie Barnard; her grandchildren Russell Lewis Wilhite, Amanda Sue (Wilhite) DeSimone, (her husband Justin DeSimone) and William “Connor” Cox.
Jo Ellen was born on June 28, 1940. She graduated from Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, AR in 1958 where she was active in Choir and played piano. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1962 with a degree in Elementary Education. At the University of Arkansas, she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority (Vice President), Mortar Board (President), AWS Executive Board, Elementary Club, SNEA, WRA, Fullbright Hall Senior Counselor, Holcombe Hall Secretary and Sophomore Counselor.
After college, she taught 4th grade for one year in Oklahoma. She then raised 2 daughters beginning in Oklahoma, then New Jersey before moving to Richardson, Texas in 1978. She has resided in her same Richardson home that she and Lewis had built and lived together since 1978.
Later she was involved with The Learning Disabilities Association of Texas. She received the Learning Disabilities Association Master Service Award in 1993 and the Texas Key in 1996 For Outstanding Service to the Learning Disabilities Association of Texas.
Jo Ellen loved her family so very much and they loved her. She will truly be missed.
The visitation will be held at Restland Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, followed by the graveside service at Restland Cemetery.
Contributions in her name may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 260559, Plano, TX 75026.
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