Rita Jo Hope Barnes, better known as "Ma", was born March 31, 1939 in Prattsville, Arkansas the daughter of the late Vernon Hope and Beulah Wallis Hope Weaver. She was a member of Little Creek Missionary Baptist Church and a 1957 graduate of Sheridan High School. Her dad, Vernon Hope served as Grant County Sheriff, so public service was in her blood.  She did what had never been done before by running for the office of Circuit Clerk and in true Rita Jo fashion, she became the first female elected official for Grant County, Arkansas. Many years later she'd return to work at the courthouse as Secretary to Judge Kemp Nall.

She was the sweetest, kindest, most loving person you'd ever meet….but you'd best not take her kindness for weakness.   She could give you "the look" that spoke volumes and if that didn't work and she pointed her finger at you, you knew you'd gone too far.   Rita Jo and Rommy had a special bond and loved each other so very much.  They worked hard to give their girls everything they could.  She was so proud to be their "Mama".   There was a special bond between Rita and her 3 sisters, and they weren't just siblings, they were the dearest of friends.  Ma was in many ways a teenager trapped in the body of, as she called herself, "and old lady".  She loved to laugh and could deliver one-liners like a pro. The Lord made her tough, and at the same time, showed her He had a sense of humor, since she came from a family of all girls, yet all 5 of her grandsons were boys….and they were ALL boy.  They didn't get the best of her though.  She kept them in line,  but would be the first one to cut up with them. She survived helping get those grandsons grown, and in return they gave her her the precious gift of great grandkids who could always put a smile on her face, even when she probably didn't feel much like smiling.  Now, if you asked her, she'd always tell you she was tired, but considering she enjoyed going to her class reunions, reading, sewing, dancing, painting portraits and landscapes, working in her flowers, traveling, bird watching and spending time with her family, I guess she probably had reason to be tired.

"Ma" died on Thursday, January 11, 2024 in her home at the age of 84. Her parting thoughts she shared just a few days before she died were: "May you each always know that my love with you was the greatest.  Never doubt it.  Know that we all walk this path and we will see each other again.  Live your life pleasing to God and cherish all the memories we made along the way".

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, whom she had loved since she was 12 years old, Rommy Lee Barnes; grandson, Noble Emberton; sisters, Peggy Winston , Sue Haywood; father and mother-in-law, Preston and Myrtis Barnes.

Survivors: daughters, Karen and husband Richard Boling of Sheridan, Missy Emberton of Tull; sister, Pat Lucas of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren, Brent and wife Alana Williams, Brian and wife Bridget Williams, Nolan Emberton, Noah Emberton; great grandchildren, Kaleb (Morgan) Williams, Anna Williams, Catherine (Josh McCann) Williams, Sebastian Williams, Brayden Williams, Charles Williams, Noelle Emberton, Ashlyn Emberton, Baleigh Emberton, Lane Emberton and Lyla Grove; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with Bro. Brent Williams and Mike Wiggins officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home prior to the service from 10:00 until service time.

Pallbearers are her grandsons, Brent, Brian, Nolan, Noah: special friends, Gayle Allen, Kyle Orr, Pat Theiss, Drue Owen, Sheldon Kidder. Honorary pallbearers are her great grandchildren, Kaleb, Morgan, Anna, Catherine, Josh, Sebastian, Alleace, Brayden, Abby, Noelle, Ashlyn, Baleigh, Lane and Lyla.

A very special thank you to Hospice Home Care for the comfort and compassion you gave to our mother. Also, several ladies: Delora Sheperd, Kelly Sites, Laurette Williamson, Heather Owen, Carolyn Speights, Tammy Skorcz, Donna Allen, Mary Keen, and her great granddaughter Catherine Williams for being there every night at bedtime.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little Creek Missionary Baptist Church or Grant County Museum.

Lord, just know if she gets there and calls you "Darlin'", she doesn't mean any disrespect…..She's just loving you the way only "Ma" could.