Jill Don Barnett

Jill Don Barnett, age 62 of Gonzales, TX, found eternal rest in the arms of her Lord and Savior on June 6, 2023, after a strenuous battle with Alzheimer’s Dementia. 

Jill was born on August 16, 1960, to Don and Sharon Colley in Nixon, Texas. After graduating from Pleasanton High School in 1978, she went on to study Education and Home Economics at Southwest Texas State University, in San Marcos, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in interior design. She spent most of her years raising her daughters and living out her dream of being a stay-at-home mom. She would later return to college in 2004 for her teaching certification to teach at Gonzales High School. After 13 years in education, she retired from teaching in 2017. She loved her students dearly; each and every one held a special place in her heart. 

Jill met the love of her life, Morgan Barnett, after being set up on a blind date by their parents in April of 1983 and, as the saying goes, “The rest is history.” Morgan and Jill were married on December 17, 1983, and were blessed with two daughters, Brittany and Emily. 

Jill was many things to many people. She was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, friend, daughter, aunt, cousin, niece, sister, and teacher. However, it was the title of grandmother, or “Elsa”, that she adored most of all. She cherished her 6 grandchildren more than anything in this world and always made sure they were cuddled and kissed every moment she had them in her arms. Jill also had a fondness for odd critters, whether it was her Iguana named Tawanda, her Emperor scorpions she got for a special Egyptian VBS, or her famous Madagascar hissing cockroaches that once escaped and terrorized downtown Wrightsboro. She loved all animals and turned many strays into pets. Jill lovingly called her home the “Barnett Barnyard” because of all the animals she took in over the years. More than her love for anything worldly was Jill’s love for the Lord. She served Him faithfully and was instrumental in bringing both of her daughters to know Christ by teaching the Word of God in the family home. Jill, alongside Morgan, served as a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Gonzales for many years. She also went to great lengths to make the most extravagant Vacation Bible School adventures for the children of FBC during the summers. She gave her heart to Jesus as a young girl and walked closely with Him her entire adult life. Jesus Christ was not only her Lord and Savior, but he was also her friend. 

Jill is survived by her husband of 39 years, Morgan Barnett of Gonzales, TX, daughters, Brittany Salazar (Kevin) of Goliad, TX, and Emily Connor (Eric) of Gonzales, TX, six grandchildren, Kennedy Salazar, Mason Connor, Evelyn Connor, Kase Salazar, Morgan Connor, and Baker Salazar; parents, Don and Sharon Colley of Pleasanton, TX; sisters Jan Pendley of Pleasanton and Judy Blowers (Dusty) of San Antonio, TX; father and mother-in-law, Jack and Peggy Barnett of Wrightsboro, TX; Brothers-in-law Mike Barnett (Dusty) of Brock, TX, Mark Barnett of Austin, TX, and David Barnett (Julie) of San Marcos, TX, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family and friends whom she loved dearly. 

Jill is preceded in death by her grandparents, Bill and Esther Trant of Nixon, TX, and George and Estelle Colley of Smiley, TX. 

Services will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Gonzales, TX, with visitation beginning at 1:00 P.M. and funeral services beginning at 2:00 P.M. Burial will follow at the Wrightsboro Cemetery in Wrightsboro, TX. 

Pallbearers: Kevin Salazar, Eric Connor, Trant Stark, Jon Barnett, Preston Thigpen, Ryan Barnett, and Bridger Colley. 

Honorary Pallbearers: Friends, faculty, and staff members of Gonzales ISD who worked with Jill during her time with the school district. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Nesbit Living & Recovery Center in Seguin as well as Heart to Heart Hospice for their compassion and love extended to Jill. 

Donations can be made to the Wrightsboro Cemetery Association. 

All services are under the care and direction of Seydler – Hill Funeral Home.