Anita Gaye Barrett

Anita Barrett, of Haysville, KS, a beloved child of God, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2026, at her second home, Prairie Homestead Assisted Living, surrounded by loved ones.

Anita was born on September 22, 1936, in Verden, Oklahoma, to John Emmett Stapleton and Ura Venus Watson Stapleton.

On July 17, 1954, Anita married the love of her life, JM Barrett. They settled in Haysville, Kansas, where they built a faith-centered home and shared 66 years of marriage filled with warm friendships, memorable vacations, and deep devotion to family until his passing in 2021.

Anita and JM were blessed with two daughters and a son-in-law, Diana Beck and Lynette and Scott Shufelberger. Her family continued to grow with two granddaughters and their husbands, Cara and Norris Poole and Lauren and Zac Kliewer. The absolute joys of Anita’s later life came in the form of her five great-grandchildren: Emma, Owen, Stella, Davis, and Jett. She loved nothing more than having her family around her.

Anita was a devoted Baptist and spent most of her life attending First Baptist Church in Haysville. Her faith was the foundation of her life and something she intentionally passed down to her entire family. She lived her faith through the way she loved others, and when her time came, she knew exactly where she was going. Her faith gave her peace, and her family finds comfort knowing she is now home with her Lord, reunited with JM and so many others she loved who went before her.

To those who knew Anita, she was gentle, kind, generous, and deeply loving. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome and cared for. Her home was always ready for family and friends, and her freezer and refrigerator were never without plenty of treats for anyone who happened to stop by.

Anita was also gifted with her hands. For many years, she crocheted and quilted, creating beautiful works of art that have become treasured pieces for her family and friends. Each one carried not only her time and talent, but the love she had for everyone around her.

More than anything, Anita loved her family. Her legacy will live on not only through the quilts and handmade treasures she left behind, but through the faith, kindness, generosity, and love she instilled in the generations who came after her.

Anita is survived by her children, Diana Beck and Scott and Lynette Shufelberger; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Norris, Cara, Owen, and Davis Poole and Zac, Lauren, Emma, Stella, and Jett Kliewer. She also leaves behind many other family members who loved her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, JM Barrett; her parents, John Emmett and Ura Venus Stapleton; and her siblings, Orval Watson, James Watson, Vaughndalee Willard, Nadean Johnson, Beatrice Ratliff, and William Stapleton.

Anita leaves behind a family who was deeply loved by her and who will miss her more than words can express. Her life was a beautiful example of quiet faith, unconditional love, and the simple joy of taking care of the people she loved.

Services will be held on Tuesday, September 15, at First Baptist Church in Haysville, KS. A viewing will be held at 9 a.m., with the service following at 10 a.m. Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Wichita, KS, where she will be laid to rest next to her soulmate.