Dewana Ruth Barnett

Dewana Ruth Earley was born on the 26th of December, the day after Christmas, in 1958 & was the best Christmas present for her family! She grew up in Bellmead, Texas with her parents Thomas & Patricia Earley and her 3 siblings Thomas (Bubba), Stephanie (Bunnie), & Clifford (Bobo). She attended school at La Vega and spent her time taking care of and riding her horses, hanging out with her many childhood friends, helping her Dad at the Oyster Bar, and in her teens being the best Aunt Dewana.

She married David Barnett and they had two children together, Clayton (42) & Coleman (39). Being a mother was her most favorite role and she did everything for her family. They lived in many places in Texas: Flourbluff, San Angelo, & finally Abilene in the 90’s. There they raised their two boys and attended many baseball games, spent time at the lake & out hunting, and visiting family back in Waco.

Dewana remarried to Michael Dixon in 2017, after being together for 10 plus years. They loved to dance at Guitar’s Cadilac’s, spend time with their friends, go on trips together, make memories with their grown-up kids, host parties and cook together. She worked at John Middleton Unit Prison in Abilene, Texas for 20 years and made many lifelong friends there and was happy to retire in 2020 so that she could take care of her grandchildren more.

Dewana’s greatest title of all was grandma. Her 3 grandchildren, Colden Lane (10), Cooper Mac (6), and Sunnie LeAnn (2), called her Nene. She was a fun grandma who loved to swim with them, play games with them, take them outside and play at the park, cook for them, sing to them and just enjoy watching them grow. She was always present in their lives and helped take care of them in whatever way she was needed.

For the last few years of her life, she enjoyed life with her family and took advantage of every moment. She was an extreme Texas Rangers fan and proudly displayed all her Rangers gear. She loved to collect all things Rangers, including her 160 plus shirts. She knew all the players every year, watched/listened to every game, attended many games and was over the moon when they won the world series. She loved listening to classic country music and collected old records and CDs and took her boombox wherever she went. She loved to dance, drink beer with her friends and family, sit outside and enjoy the sunshine, decorating her house and backyard, took care of her many plants, and loved on everyone and always said, “We are all God’s children.”

Dewana passed onto Heaven on Saturday October, 4th at 2:10 p.m. after fighting a long battle with dementia. Her family were her caregivers and by her side to the very end. She was so loved and celebrated. She was the happiest person we knew and loved life and her family. We are sad to lose her here earthside but so joyful she is with Jesus and her family now.

She is preceded in death by (parents) Thomas Leggett Earley & Patricia Cook Earley, (brother) Thomas “Bubba” Earley, (sister) Stephanie “Bunnie” Witt, (nephew) Cory Witt, (mother-in-law) Lillian Belle “Tai” Barnett. She is survived by, (son) Clayton Barnett, (daughter-in-law) Diane Barnett, (son) Coleman Barnett, (daughter-in-law) Lacey Barnett, (grandchildren) Colden, Cooper & Sunnie, (husband) Michael Dixon and many family members and friends who loved her.

The family would like to extend their heartful thanks to those that helped care for Dewana for the last two years: Dr. Ezell & Dr. Brinkman & their staffs, Kinder Hearts Hospice Staff & Dewana’s nurses Leslie & Kim, Ricca Tidmore, Diann Brooks, Cheyenne Jacobsen, Donna Miller, Patty Cook, Patsy Rodriguez & Family, The Barnett Family & Hendrick’s Hospice.

Visitation will be on Thursday, October 9, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Pecan Grove Funeral Home. Graveside services will take place at 2:00 pm, Friday, October 10 at Waco Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Kinder Hearts Hospice in Abilene.