Mattie (Lemons) Barney

         In the evening time of May 19, 2022, Heaven was greeted by its’ newest angel - a firecracker of a soul named Mattie Lemons Barney. She was taken from this earth and called home after a hard fought battle with Pancreatic cancer. Make no mistake about it, she did not lose the fight. She fought like a champion right up to the second that the Lord called her home simply to give her a well deserved rest.  As anyone that knew her will tell you, there was never an ounce of quit in her body or an obstacle she couldn’t overcome.  She never met a challenge she was afraid to take head on. Those of us that she impacted through the way she lived her life have a genuine understanding of what the words resilience, perseverance, strength, and love truly stand for.

            A new mold was made with the birth of Mattie on December 17, 1963. There was never any quite like her before she arrived and there will never be another quite like her again. She was born to two amazing individuals, Reed and Toni Lemons.  She was raised in Ucon, Idaho alongside her two younger brothers, Sonny and Ben. The three of them and their crazy antics as children were surely the cause of more than a few gray hairs over the years. Mattie attended Bonneville High School in Iona, Idaho (Idaho Falls). If you ask anyone from that time, they will tell you wherever Mattie went there was sure to be a lot of fun, dancing, and friends. Being the life of the party, there was definitely never a dull moment when she was around. She was the most loyal of friends, fearful of nothing, as feisty as they come along with having a heart that exuded love and care for everyone.

            During the summer of 1988, Mattie started dating and found true love in her future husband, Wayne Barney. Mattie and Wayne moved to Kerrville, TX in 1990 and married in the summer of 1992. They owned and operated a successful business that not only provided for their family, but the families of many employees over the years. Together, they raised 3 children of their own as well as helping raise a whole host of other children who proudly called Mattie “Mom.” If Mattie had one true passion in life, it would have been loving and caring for those around her. She didn’t care if you were family or not, you had no choice, but to be loved. (We had it rough, didn’t we?) Her other loves and hobbies were shopping, crafting, fashion, interior design, music,  boating, wakeboarding, floating the river, bbq with the family & gardening with her grandbabies. There wasn’t a room she couldn’t turn into a gem, a wake she wouldn’t ride, a second wasted when her grandchildren were near, a cool breeze or sunset missed, a tractor she couldn’t operate, or a bad time for a few cold beers and good laughs with friends and family. Although she lived in Texas, Mattie always had a spot in her heart for the mountains. She loved spending time at their cabin in Island Park. There was no lack of great times shared with her northern friends and family when she went home to Idaho for a visit. Not having a good time was simply not an option for her. By far, the things that brought the most joy to her life were the amazing little people that called her “Grammy.” Every one of her grandchildren were shown exactly what it meant to have unconditional love in their lives. Mattie’s children and grandchildren meant everything in the world to her which is a legacy that will stay with those children for the rest of their lives. Undoubtedly, that is a trait that Mattie's mother, Toni, passed down to her and encouraged Mattie to pass down to her children and grandchildren.

            Mattie was preceded in the journey to Heaven by her mother, Toni, and father Reed. She is survived by her husband, Wayne, and their children, Dasha, Brandis (Rashell) and Halston (Deanna). She is survived by her cherished grandchildren, Mason, Hannah, Ryleigh, Raiden, and Javery, as well as her beloved brothers, Sonny and Ben (Liz). Mattie is also survived by many nieces and nephews which lovingly referred to her as “Aunt Matt” as well as a long list of children whose lives Mattie touched that will forever know her as “Mom” and “Grammy.”

            Her tender heart and willingness to love and take care of others will be dearly missed, but lives on in the hearts and souls of her children, grandchildren, and every lucky soul that she touched along the way. She truly was an example of love and care to everyone fortunate enough to be close to her. This is not “goodbye,” it’s just “see you soon,” Mom. Now, go give heaven some hell…

            A celebration of life will take place at a future time and date.

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