Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

November 5, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Elizabeth Louise Barnard Flanagan “Betty”, 93, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away on November 5, 2023, after a full, long, and beautiful life.  Born to the late Frank and Lucille Barnard, in Cleveland, OH on July 22, 1930, Betty was one of seven children. 

Living most of her life in Washington, DC, Betty attended Immaculata Junior College where she earned her associate degree.  She met and married her husband, Robert, in 1953 in Washington DC, relocated to Charlotte, NC in 1957 and together they raised a family of nine children.  If you ever met her, you would immediately learn of this, as it was her life’s work and, in her mind, her greatest accomplishment.  As her children got older, Betty began working at Sears in the children’s department, and was employed there for thirteen years.  She was a volunteer at Mercy Hospital- Pineville for thirteen years, and always enjoyed being with and assisting people.  She knew the importance of caring for others and would often visit the sick and elderly.  Betty was also a volunteer for Room at The Inn during its existence in Charlotte.  She and her family were charter members of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.  Betty was a woman of great faith who focused her life on Jesus Christ.  She witnessed this faith daily in her participation at weekday Mass, leading the Rosary after Mass, and being a frequent adorer of the Blessed Sacrament.  Her devotion to the Blessed Mother was sustenance to her in her vocation as a mother to nine children.  Betty made pilgrimages to Fatima, Portugal to bear witness to the message of Fatima and foster devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  She loved Russell Stover chocolate, playing bridge with her friends, playing 9 holes at Sharon Golf Course, taking trips to the NC mountains to see the fall foliage, dancing the polka with her favorite dance partner, Bob, and making trips to Washington DC to spend time with her sisters and brothers.

Betty was a faithful wife, and a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother throughout her life.  She was a living example of God’s goodness in this world. We will remember her creed “Establish a prayerful life.  It’s the only thing that hasn’t increased in price over the years, and you can still say as many as you want.” 

Betty is survived by her children, Kathleen Flanagan (Randy) of Chapel Hill, NC, Mary Williams of Athens, GA, James Flanagan (Phyllis) of Raleigh, NC, Michael Flanagan (Candace) of Charlotte, NC, Margaret Leister (Mark) of Charlotte, NC, Elizabeth Flanagan Shrader of Charlotte, NC, John Flanagan of Cary, NC, Christine Simpson (Ricky) of Charlotte, NC, and Carol Mitchell of Charlotte, NC; sixteen grandchildren, Gabriel Hendrick, Colin Williams, Leslie Hale (Aaron), Emma Flanagan, Lucy Flanagan, John Ryan Flanagan, Megan Flanagan, Grace Flanagan Smith (Will), Hannah Stella (Ross), Bridget Flanagan, Robert Flanagan, Kelly Flanagan, William Simpson, Erin Simpson, Sophia Mitchell and Ella Mitchell and three great-grandchildren, Evelyn Hale, Tabitha Hale, and William “Wyatt” Smith.  Also surviving are her sisters, Theresa Flanagan of Calvert Co MD, and Sr. Jeanne Barnard, SSJ of Flourtown, PA and brother-in-law, Fr Edward Flanagan, OFM of Washington DC.  She was predeceased by her husband, Robert of 43 years; brothers, Dick Barnard, Bob Barnard, and Paul Barnard and her sister, Patricia Baczynsky.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to Dr. Dupal Patel, MD for her compassionate and personalized care for our mother. 

The family will receive friends 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:15 AM on Thursday, November 9, 2023 with Monsignor John Wall officiating.  A Rosary will be said in the church at 9:45 AM, prior to the Funeral Mass. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. 

Memorials may be offered in memory of Betty to Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, or St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd. Charlotte, NC 28210 or to the charity of donor’s choice. 

***ALL FLOWERS MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE CHURCH***

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.