Fern B. Barris
Lansing, MI
Fern Billie Marshall Barris passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 6, 2018, in Grand Haven, Michigan. She was born on September 3, 1932, in Nickelsville, Virginia, to dearly loved parents Kyle Thomas and Mary Kate Compton Marshall. The oldest of seven children, she treasured the many happy memories they shared growing up in the beautiful mountains she called home. She graduated from Nickelsville High School, and having an adventurous spirit moved to Lansing, Michigan when she was eighteen. She worked downtown as a bank teller at the American State Bank, and there she met her husband, John Gregory Barris, who had immigrated to America from Greece and owned a restaurant on Washington Avenue. They were loving and devoted parents to three children: Mary Diane, Polexene, and Gregory Thomas John. During their forty years of marriage she worked in the family restaurant business, and for twenty-five years at JCPenney, where she retired. Fern enjoyed reading, music, gardening, travel and sports, but mostly enjoyed celebrating life with family and friends. Her favorite saying was “stay on the sunny side.” In the hearts of those who knew and loved her she truly was the sunny side of life, and the sun shined warmer wherever she was.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Gregory Barris; her daughter, Mary Diane Barris; her parents, Kyle Thomas and Mary Kate Marshall; and her two brothers, Jimmy Carl and Jerry Allen Marshall.
She is survived by her daughter Polexene Barris (ex-husband Don Page), son Gregory (Keli) Barris; treasured grandchildren: Jonathan Ian (Melissa) Page, Diana Barris Page; Tristan John Gregory Barris, Maya Elizabeth Fern Barris; cherished great-grandchildren: Hayden Dwyer Page and Bowie Grey Page; beloved siblings: Sybil Gaynell Bridges, Phyllis Jean Cureton, Judith Glenice (Bruce) Brewer, Patricia Ann Cox, Elaine Marshall, Sylvia Marshall; and many dear nieces and nephews.
No service will be held at this time. Donations in her name can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) or the American Cancer Society of Michigan. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
3 Messages to “Fern B. Barris”
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Bob Etherton
October 21, 2018 at 11:31 amFern and my mother Margie Welch Etherton were best friends in Virginia (also first cousins) when she first moved to Lansing she lived with us and I believed baby sit me until she found the job at the bank I have many fond memories of her over the years I used to stop and visit her at Pennies when I was traveling through Lansing and catch up, she was most like aunt Mary Kate as I recall I loved to hear her voice. We’ll miss her, love to the family
Cinnamon Frame
October 21, 2018 at 3:16 pmAunt Fern was like a second mother to my Mother, Jean Cureton. The time she spent in high school living with Fern were formative in giving her a zest for exploration, adventure and the bravery to try something new. Mother tells stories about Aunt Fern all of the time, and she is s much a part of our lives as ever. I only got to spend but a little time with her – but I know her through “Skinny Minny” and all of the stories of the beautiful times they had. She was one of the kindest souls on Earth. xoxoxox
Maya Barris
June 1, 2023 at 10:50 amMy Grandma Fern was so near and dear to my heart and still is today. I am her granddaughter Maya Elizabeth Fern Barris. I cherished every moment with her and I miss her so much. I wish she was still here, but I know that when I go through my struggles, she will always be right there, my right hand man, or in this case woman, right next to me, always.