Lucille Barnard, 91, Rich Hill, MO, died Monday, January 29, 2018 at Serenity Rehabilitation and Nursing in Butler, MO. Funeral services were held Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville with burial in Salem Cemetery in Independence, MO.

Lucille was born November 17, 1926 in a cabin her father built in the Big Creek Bottoms near Blairstown, MO, to William Thomas and Lena Bell (Akers) Atkinson. She was one of 13 children. Her parents were descendants of the Swedish and Cherokee Indian Tribe. Lucille lived in the Blairstown area until the cabin burned. Her family then moved to Urich, MO when she was 9 years old. She met John W. Barnard of Hartwell, MO and they were married in 1946. Lucille had lived in Holden, MO before moving to Rich Hill five years ago.

Lucille was a survivor; her life was a challenge of survival. She grew up in the depression days. She never had much chance of education. She learned by her heritage how to survive off the land. She would pick wild greens, wild berries, and fruits, and take game from the land. She taught all of her children how to do all of these things. She taught them all to be respectful and responsible, and she loved them all the same. She survived the loss of four of her children and her husband. She survived her sickness as long as she could. We all loved her dearly and she will be missed greatly.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John in 1994, seven brothers, Paul, Lewis, LeeRoy, John, Robert, Oliver, and Edgar, and four sisters, Chessie, Florence, Mildred, and Francis, four children, Jimmy Lee Barnard, Jackie D. Barnard, David L. Barnard, and Margaret L. Barnard. She is survived by three sons, Billy Atkinson, Rich Hill, MO, John W. Barnard, Jr., La Tour, MO, and Dennis R. Barnard, Aurora, MO; three daughters, Nancy A. Stockton, Springfield, MO, Janice K. Gardner, Branson, MO, and Helen S. Fields, Rich Hill, MO; 36 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great-grandchildren.