Ellene Rogers Barnett - LHS Class of 1956

Ellene Barnett, 71, of Leavenworth, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, at her home after an eight month battle with cancer. She was born Dec. 8, 1938, in Leavenworth, the daughter of Vernon F. and Rozina (Smith) Rogers.
Ellene attended Summer Grade School and graduated from Leavenworth Senior High School in 1956. She attended and graduated from barber college. Ellene operated an in-home barber shop for many years. At the age of 52 she graduated Metropolitan Community College. She retired from the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center after 30 years of dedicated service. After retirement Ellene worked as a school bus monitor for Easton Bus Service.
Ellene was a life-long member of Sunflower Missionary Baptist Church. She worked with the Sunflower Missionary Baptist Church and the Northeast District association Sun Beams program. She also served as a Deaconess, church clerk and assisted in many of the church ministries when called upon.
Ellene leaves to celebrate her home going, her husband of 36 years, Robert L. Barnett; her sons, Frederick Joseph (Karla) Lambkins of Mesa, Ariz., Clarence Dean Lambkins of Norton, Kan., Thomas Phillip (Shelly) Lambkins of Colorado Springs, Colo., Gregory Allen Lambkins of Parsons, Kan., Randall Eugene (Shirley Ann) Lambkins of Littleton, Colo.; her step-children, Robert Jerome Barnett of Olive Branch, Miss., Linda Barnett of Cape Girardeau, Mo. and Janet Barnett, of Milwaukee Wis.; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; her sisters who are also celebrating her departure are, Rozella Brown (LHS Class of 1952) of Palms Springs, Calif., Pauline Miller (LHS Class of 1956) of Aurora, Colo., Carol Rathman (LHS Class of 1959) and Betty Smith of Leavenworth and Emma Gatlin (LHS Class of 1963) of Shawnee Mission, Kan.; her brothers, David Rogers of Aurora Colo. and Samuel Rogers of Kansas City, Kan.; special friends, Floyd and Louise Ross; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Ellene enjoyed traveling with her sisters and niece on their annual trips and other activities with her family and friends. She had a special love for making ethnic dolls and giving them to special people in her life. She especially loved working in her yard.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon F. and Rozina Rogers; her sisters Mary L. Ward (LHS Class of 1951), Venitta Johnson (LHS Class of 1955) and Anna Collins (LHS Class of 1966); and her brother, Vernon F Rogers Jr.
Visitation will be from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan, 29, 2010, at Sunflower Missionary Baptist Church, 1708 5th Ave. Leavenworth, KS. A memorial service will begin at 11:30 a.m. after the visitation at the church. Inurnment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Leavenworth National Cemetery.