Karla Barnett

Karla Barnett, of Abilene joined her Heavenly Father on the morning of March 2, 2015, passing peacefully into the arms of the angels who carried her home. Visitation will be Friday, March 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 7, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 871 Woodlawn Dr. in Abilene, with Pastor Kevin Kennedy officiating. Graveside services will follow at 2:30 p.m., at Fairview Cemetery in Bronte with Dale Patterson officiating. Family, friends and loved ones are welcome to gather at Central Baptist Church in Bronte immediately following burial. Arrangements are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Karla was born on May 8, 1960 in the Bronte Hospital to Dean and Calvin Pope. She began her nursing career at the age of 16 working as a Nurses Aide at the nursing home in Bronte, where she grew to love caring for senior citizens. She graduated from Bronte High School in 1978 and received her LVN license the following year. Karla served her country in the United States Army and received a medical discharge. After several years of working at the San Angelo State School, she returned to Angelo State University and obtained her RN license in 1987. Karla moved to Abilene in the fall of that year and began working at Hendrick Medical Center. After several years at Hendrick, she returned to her love of seniors and was Director of Nurses at several homes over the years. She had worked at The Oaks at Radford Hills since 2005 and was an MDS coordinator until the spring of 2013, when she returned to direct care of patients. Karla loved taking care of others and worked in the nursing field for 38 years. Karla met and married the love of her life in 2003. She had always wanted to be a mother and God blessed Paul and Karla with a daughter, Emily, in 2005. Nothing brought more joy to Karla than Emily. They enjoyed trips to the zoo, eating ice cream together, reading stories and frequent “tickle sessions” at bedtime. When asked to help mom come up with an email address, Emily decided on “bestestmommy.” Karla always put others in front of herself, never hesitating to answer the call for service day or night. Karla is survived by her husband, Paul, daughter Emily, stepson Beau, father Calvin Pope, brother Colin Pope and wife Debbie; sister Denia Pope-McNeil and husband Dan, aunt Betty Beaver, niece Genia Biedeger and husband Neil, nephews Jason Rhodes and Merila, Kenneth Rhodes and wife Vanessa; 6 great-nieces, 2 great-nephews and a multitude of beloved cousins. Karla will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Memorials may be given to Trinity Baptist Church Mission Fund, 871 Woodlawn Dr., Abilene, TX 79603.