Kerry Barrett

Ms. Kerry Barrett age 65 of Parsons, TN passed away Thursday March 28, 2024, in Nashville, TN.  She was born in Pensacola, FL on November 23, 1958.  Kerry spent most of her childhood years in the Pensacola area, growing up as one of 11 children.  She moved to Parsons at age 14 and graduated from Riverside High School in 1976.  While attending Riverside, she worked at WKJQ Radio Station in Parsons.  This was located on Tennessee Avenue next door to Barrett’s Jewelry where she met the Barrett family at age 17.  She spent several years working in the banking industry, but her proudest accomplishment was becoming a mother and grandmother.  She was an energetic mom who devoted herself to doing all the extra activities and making memories with her two girls while they were growing up.  When her 4 grandsons were born, her life took on a whole new meaning as GaGa.  She adored Barrett, Hatcher, Warner and Everett, and spent countless hours playing in the floor with toys, taking them outside, reading books and allowing them to make any messes they wanted.  She followed them to parties, ballgames, school activities and supported them any way she could. 

Kerry had a special love for children, photography, and all things nature.  She owned a photography studio in Parsons where she took pictures of many local children especially her own.  She loved the simple beauties of sunsets, butterflies, birds, trees, creeks and old barns, and was known to stop on the side of the road at any time to capture God’s creations.  Her love for the beach began at a young age, as she grew up only 20 minutes from the coast.  She loved gathering seashells, watching seagulls and listening to the waves. 

She is survived by her daughters Ashley (Steve) Adkisson of Lexington, TN and Brittany (Matt) Wood of Jackson, TN; grandchildren Barrett and Hatcher Adkisson and Warner and Everett Wood; the father of her children, Phil Barrett; sisters Kathy Fuller, Sally Olsen, Carol Oliver, brothers Bo Olsen, Glenn Olsen, Dale Olsen, Donald Olsen, Benny Olsen, Jerry Nolan.  She was preceded in death by her parents Pete Olsen and Louise Nolan and a brother Wayne Olsen. 

The family will receive friends Monday, April 1 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.  Visitation will continue on Tuesday, April 2 from 10:00am until time of funeral service.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 2 at 11:00am in the Parsons Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow in the Parsons City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  GaGa selflessly spent almost 3 years of her life devoted to helping her grandson Warner defeat his leukemia battle.  She handled the 4am wake calls for Monday treatments with the love and grace only a GaGa could.  Her sole purpose during Warner’s treatment was to make him happy, even when it included filling countless Easter eggs with wooden letters for him to open because he saw it on a YouTube video. It was her honor and life’s purpose to be the greatest GaGa for Warner, Everett, Barrett, and Hatcher.   

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