Della Mae (Barnett) Barker was born on August 26, 1927, and died peacefully in her sleep on July 27, 2008, from lung cancer. She was the daughter of Dennia A. Barnett and Erma G. Willis. She spent her entire life in Springfield. She was a proud member of the Springfield High School Class of 1945, and loved her classmates and attending the monthly reunion luncheons. She was a lifetime member of the Lester E. Cox Auxiliary and a member of King's Way United Methodist Church. She loved collecting Santas. Her vast collection was written up in the Springfield News-Leader and even made the Today Show. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Ernestine Love; and two brothers, George Barnett and John Barnett. She is survived by her husband, Paul of the home; her daughter, Elaine; grandsons, Jayson and Nick Finlinson of Plano, Texas; and many friends, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2008, in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel, with the Rev. Jon Spalding officiating. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to King's Way United Methodist Church, Oxford Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

Miss Me, But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me alittle - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love we once shared
Miss me - but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to Home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me - But Let me Go!