Geneva Cantrell "Bit" BARRY

Geneva Cantrell (Bit) Barry, of Christiansburg, and formerly of Lacombe, La., died on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. She was born in Sheffield, Ala., the daughter of the late Felix and Edna Davis Cantrell. Mrs. Barry is survived by her husband, Fredrick M. Barry, of Christiansburg; as well as her daughter, Anne and husband, Oma Graves, of Bandera, Texas; and son, Dr. F. Michael Barry and wife, Barbara, of Radford. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Casey McDonald and wife, Jessica, Christopher Barry and wife, Anya, and Jessica Eichinger. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Margaret Smitherman and Louise Merryman. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her twin sister, Jeanette Rudy; and brother, Alton Cantrell.
She was a graduate, as a Cadet Nurse, of the St. Thomas Hospital School of Nursing in Nashville, Tenn. She also received a bachelor of arts degree from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo.
Mrs. Barry served as a Girl Scout leader for several years, as a Red Cross nurse and home nursing instructor, and was a co-compiler of a Cantrell family genealogy. She was a life member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as a state chairperson and regent of St. Tammany Chapter in Slidell, La. She also was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Sierra Club, and several ornithological organizations.
She enjoyed observing birds throughout the world and served as a judge in selecting the design of the 1995 to 1996 federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp as well as the federal Junior Duck Stamp competition.
Funeral Services will be held at a later time in Sheffield, Ala. The Barry family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford, Va. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com