Obituary of Mina Frances Barnhill

Mina Frances Barnhill, 90, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Neil C. Barnhill; parents, William Moore Wilson, Sr. and Mina Belle Wilson; brothers, William Moore Wilson, Jr., Charles Edward Wilson and Herbert Wilson, and sister, Marjorie Elizabeth Stover. She is survived by her brother, Percy Wilson; son, Ron Barnhill and his wife, Kris; daughters, Sue Dalmeida and husband, Bill, and Denise Coleman; grandchildren, Jennifer Oncken and husband, Mike, Nikki Scott and husband, Chris, Joey Barnhill and wife, Julie, Nicholas Barnhill and wife, Thi, and Bryan Wagner; great grandchildren, Emma Oncken, Tommy Oncken, Charlie Oncken, Hudson Scott, Clara Scott and Jace Barnhill. She also leaves behind many other relatives and friends who cherished her.

Fran (as she was known to her friends) was born in 1933 in Bryan, Texas, where she was raised and attended school, graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School in January 1952. After graduation, she moved to Houston where she worked in a bank. There she met her future husband Neil, who was in the Air Force and stationed at Ellington AFB in Houston. They married later that year before Neil shipped out for Korea during the war. They would make several moves to air bases in the Philippines, as well as in the United States, during Neil’s 20-year military career, all while raising their 3 children. After Neil’s retirement from the Air Force in 1971, they moved back to Texas where Neil took a management position at the Houston Credit Bureau, and Fran worked a civil service position at Ellington AFB and later at the Social Security Administration in Pasadena. In 1980, Neil and Fran moved out to the country on a 60-acre ranch in Edge, Texas (near College Station), where Neil later retired from the Bryan Credit Bureau and Fran from the Bryan Social Security Administration office. They enjoyed the country life until 1997, when they moved to Pearland, Texas, where they were nearer to children and grandchildren.

Fran was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She and Neil enjoyed a close and loving relationship during their long marriage, and were very supportive of each other, as well as their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who they attended many events for. They were long-time members of the Pearland Church of Christ and were devoted to their faith and service to God. They enjoyed traveling, and made numerous trips highlighted by trips to the United Kingdom, Hawaii, and an Alaskan cruise. Fran and Neil made annual trips to view the Texas bluebonnets, which she was very fond of. Fran was an excellent cook and hosted many holiday events for her family. She was known as Mama to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who she dedicated much of her time and attention to.

A visitation for Fran will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday April 2, 2024, immediately prior to the funeral service to be held at 11:00 am at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581. There will not be a gravesite visitation as Fran will later be buried with Neil at the Houston National Cemetery.