Frances Evelyn Neumeyer VanHouten Barrett

Fran was born in Hackensack New Jersey on May 6, 1935, a “Jersey Girl”. God called her home on October 10, 2020.

She was many things; loving, generous, loyal, bright, bossy, witty, demanding, caring, creative, a night owl, independent and a gabber.

She could feed a crowd with one fish, bandage a cut with a kiss and solve all problems over a cup of coffee.

She was a doting wife of 52 years to John, a believer in Jesus Christ, a Cool Mom, a Sassy Sister, a loveable Mother-in-law, a Momma B, an Adorable Aunt, a Nifty Nannie of 20, a Great Nannie of 10 and a devoted friend to many.

Fran arrived in Stafford in 1961 with Little Johnny, blonde curly haired Lynn Ann and Baby Rob. Just nine months later twins William and Wayne would fill the little farm house on Kings Highway. Almost another year went by but not without another son, blue eyed Stephen. Only two days shy of another year Susan was born and so they thought the crew was complete. “Just one more” they said, and three years later Dean Patrick arrived and they became the Barrett Bunch.

She always had the love and support of her six Southern Sister-in-laws and two brother-in-laws and her siblings Vivian, Dayton and their spouses.

Many jobs she held along the way; cookie packer, telephone operator, jewelry store clerk and waitress at The Sheraton. She finally found her career as an Antique Dealer and had many different shops with her last being the Country Corner in the Antique Court of Shoppes. She enjoyed selling vintage toys and dolls and joined the Fredericksburg Doll Club. John joined her after his retirement from VDOT and they made a good pair as Treasurer Hunters driving far and near.

After she reared, rocked and rattled 8 kids, she leaves her children behind to clean up their own messes.

We’ve lost our Anchor but we rejoice that she is no longer tied down to her older body and is forever young in her new one.