Virginia "Kay" Barrett

Mrs. Virginia Kay Pogue Barrett, 55, of Woodbury, Tennessee went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. She was born in Joliet, Illinois on Friday, May 6, 1966. Preceding her in death were her parents, Bill and Illa Pogue, and her sister, Brenda Sue Nunley.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 38 years, Jerry Barrett of Woodbury; children, April (Michael) Vance of Bradyville and J.D. (Ashley) Barrett of Woodbury; granddaughter, Makenzie Alyse Vance of Bradyville; brother, Mike Pogue of Manchester; sisters, Diane Thompson Barrett and Sylvia Lynn Bush both of Manchester; uncle, Melvin Pogue of Tullahoma; close friends, Tanya Whited, Belinda Ruth, and Amy Templeton; and several nieces and nephews.

Kay's family moved early on in her life to Tennessee, and she had the opportunity to live a country life and love story. Meeting the man she would marry while swimming at the Readyville Dam was just the beginning of a grand adventure. She would tell the kids how it all started with her seeing Jerry swinging from a rope in his jean shorts. After that, they always seemed to come back to one another and decided they didn't want to spend any more time apart. They were married on Saturday, May 19, 1984, and Kay graduated from Coffee County High School just the year after in 1985.

Being born in the North didn't hold much weight with Kay. Even though Jerry liked to pick at her about it, she was a Southern girl at heart. A natural when it came to Southern hospitality, Kay was a woman that exuded love to everyone she met. It earned her the title of "Mama" to more than just her children, and she always thought it was so sweet to hear the words "Mama Kay."

That love for people went into Kay's work. She spent time sitting with the elderly and enjoyed taking care of them. When she felt like she still had more love to give, she convinced Jerry they should open a daycare at their home. For Kay, it didn't matter what age you were, young or old, she loved you, and she always seemed to have more love to give. However, life isn't meant to be done alone, and though she had found her perfect partner in Jerry, she needed a little girl time.

She was the receptionist at Woodbury Medical Center for several years, greeting everyone with a smile you could hear through the phone. It was there she met the ladies who formed the four musketeers, and she, Tanya, Belinda, and Amy would go out shopping and come back more energized than they had left. Jerry said he could tell she'd had a good time because she would come back talking up a storm and tell him all about her day.

That zest for life came from Kay's faith in the Lord. She was a member at Smith Grove Church of Christ and a beam of light and love for her Lord and Savior. Every day was a ministry to her, and she wasn't going to waste a moment. Her family remembers her as a disciple-maker and encourager. She was there for every sermon and every funeral that Jerry preached and knew when she needed to preach to him for a bit. Her talent lied in knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it.

When she took time to herself, Kay still wasn't alone. Her favorite quality time to spend was with her granddaughter, Makenzie. They were always coming up with crafts, and painting made it to the top of the list of favorite activities to do together. When Kay and Jerry went to Gatlinburg, she had Jerry gathering and cleaning up rocks for her and Makenzie's future painting projects. Time out in nature was also a big part of Kay's life.

She loved flowers, especially hydrangeas, lilies, and tulips, and she planted them all around their home. Going out into God's creation was the prime time for having a little talk with Jesus. It helped her to recenter herself and find balance. Her faith and consistent relationship with God were her secrets to facing every challenge with a level of grace and poise beyond what seemed humanly possible.

Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 4-8 pm. Funeral services will be Friday, May 6, 2022 at 2 pm in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Al Bugg, Jr. will officiate. Interment will be in McMahan Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Stones River Recovery or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story

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