Janice Louise Barham

Janice Louise (Vincent) Barham, age 75, died Monday, August 24, 2015, at Cox Medical Center South, of congestive heart failure with her children at her side. Janice was born on January 26, 1940, in Polk, Missouri, to Pearl (Barnes) Vincent and Roy Vincent. She was a 1958 graduate of Halfway High School where she was a cheerleader; played the clarinet and was also a baton twirler in the high school band. There was an upperclassman that teased and pestered her, Randy Barham. With encouragement from her brother and their friends, they began dating and were married on March 22, 1959. Janice was a stay-at-home mother to Cindy and David while living in Springfield. In 1968, the Barham family moved to Bolivar, where Janice and Randy joined his parents, Clark and Leota, in owning and operating Barham Equipment John Deere Dealership. She also worked as a secretary for Judge Charles V. Barker, the Division of Family Services and Hacker’s Dress Shop. In 1983, hers and Randy’s roles switched when they opened The Shoe Box, on the north side of the Bolivar Square. In 1993, they moved the store location to the south side of the Bolivar Square for a total of 21 years offering people a quality product at an economical price. She especially loved to see children excited about their new shoes. For 52 years it was always, “Randy & Janice.” Later in their marriage, they travelled in their RV stopping at campgrounds across the US and Canada. He was always the driver and she the map-reader. He would jokingly say, “She might miss a road sign, but never missed the signs for an outlet mall.” She nearly always strived to get a bargain when shopping. In 2004, she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and received care at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After two separate rounds of chemotherapy, she was an 11-year cancer survivor. Janice was a care-giver for both her mother, Pearl and mother-in-law, Leota, often accompanying them to appointments and ensuring their quality of life remained until their deaths. She was a charter member of the Bolivar Fidelis Chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, where she held many local offices, including Chapter President, District 6 President, and State Chairperson and is the only Honorary Member of Fidelis Club - a membership bestowed once her health no longer permitted her participation. She was a charter member of the CMH Auxiliary, first assisting in the arrangement and items for the Gift Shop, and most recently volunteering on Monday mornings at the Hospital Information Desk and Thursday afternoons at the Kerry and Synda Douglas Medical Center Information Desk. Janice was a 46 year member of Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church, where she played the piano, was Church Treasurer and previously Sunday School Clerk. Surviving are her only brother, Deral Vincent and wife Joan; sister-in-law, Doris Haguewood and husband, Dean; daughter, Cindy Francka and husband Bernard, Jr.; son, David Barham and wife, Lisa; Grandchildren: Jenny Barham, Bradley Barham, B.L. Francka and wife, Keli; Mallory Ramsey and husband, Jesse; Sam Francka, Ben Barham and Casey Barham; Great-grandchildren: Boe, Jax and Kellsey Francka and Gabriel Ramsey, cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Visitation for Janice will be held from 5-7:00 pm, Friday, August 28, 2015, at the Butler Funeral Home Chapel, in Bolivar, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, on Saturday, August 29, 2015, at the Butler Funeral Home Chapel, with Elders Jackie Brakebill and Eric Ingram officiating. Burial will follow the service, and take place at Greenwood Cemetery, in Bolivar. Memorial donations made be made in her honor to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, or Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church in care of Butler Funeral Home. PDF Printable Version

Janice Louise Barham

January 26, 1940 - August 24, 2015