Jonesboro- Frances Barnett Byrne, 90, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, June 1, 2013. A beloved mother, grandmother, friend and encourager, she lived her life fully devoted to Christ and her family.

She had an endearing, playful, positive spirit and will be deeply missed. Mrs. Byrne was born on February 6, 1923, in Brookland, to Marietta and Tom Barnett. She was a fraternal twin to the late Frank Barnett, Sr., and was one of eight children. She was married 45 years to the love of her life, Gerard James Byrne of Brooklyn, NY. He was a flight instructor with the United States Air Corp during World War II and she worked with the Rationing Board Office. Following the War, they lived in New York, Boston and New Orleans, where he worked with Eastern Airlines, before returning to Marianna.

Over the years, Mrs. Byrne held various sales and administrative assistant positions including the University of Arkansas Cotton Branch Experiment Station in Marianna. She was active at First Baptist Church in Marianna with many family members and friends. In the 1960s, Mrs. Byrne and her husband became international adoption pioneers in Arkansas and the United States. They adopted three children from Korea, following the Korean War. Overcoming the hurdles of U.S. Immigration laws, their last adoption required the passing of a private U.S. Congressional Bill HR 13864 in 1968. After moving to Jonesboro in 1975, Mrs. Byrne was active at First Christian Church, where she sang in the choir and served as a Diaconate, was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and was a former resident of St. Bernard\u0027s Village.

She is survived by her children, Gina and Bill Winchester of Jonesboro, Sylvia and Scott Bodell of Dallas, Texas, and Joey Byrne of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Kimberly Winchester of Little Rock, Cameron Bodell and Carter Bodell both of Dallas; a sister-in-law, Martha Jean Barnett; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerard "Gerry" Byrne; siblings, Pierce Barnett Sr., Maurice Barnett, Tomazine Ritchie, her twin Frank Barnett, Sr., and infant siblings Virgie, James and Eutha Barnett.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. immediately followed by a celebration of her life at 11 a.m. at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home, 300 W. Matthews Ave, with her nephew Rev. Buddy Barnett of Marianna officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Log Cemetery.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Daniel Short and nephews Pierce Barnett Jr, Troy Ritchie Jr, Mike Rinaldi, Jason Holland and Gregg Stillwell. Honorary pallbearers are Robert "Butch" Barnett, Cameron Bodell, Carter Bodell, Scott Bodell, William Winchester and Herbert Bodell.

The family would like to give a special thank you to her church family at First Christian Church, St. Bernard\u0027s Village and caretaker/friend Paula Taylor.

Lasting memorials may be sent to First Christian Church, 2600 Woodsprings Road, Jonesboro, AR 72404 or the Ukraine Challenge International, P.O. Box 952 Marianna, AR 72360, www.ukrainechallenge.com.