  Ellwood of Texas - Barbed Wire Man Ellis Knight Barrier, a faithful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on September 10, 2022, son of Morris Weldon and Arden Lyle Barrier on October 28, 1936 in Cookville, Texas. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1955. Ellis met Rachel Loretta Gant in 1960 and married on December 23, 1960 by Dr. W.A. Criswell at First Baptist Dallas. In the summer of 1977 the Barrier family moved to Gunter, Texas, to raise their 4 children. Ellis, aka "Snuffy", worked at the General Motors parts warehouse for 30 years until his retirement in 1987. Out of his genuine love for Texas history, he started a company called Ellwood of Texas and began making antique barbed wire displays. These Texas-shaped plaques were sold at courthouses, restaurants and shops throughout the state. He became a familiar face to the thousands of people he encountered while selling his craft across Texas. He expressed his faith in the Lord through giving and song. He and Rachel were members of First Baptist Gunter for 45 years and rarely missed a choir rehearsal or Sunday morning worship service. He loved to sing at church, funerals and with his family. He supported and encouraged the ministers. Ellis expressed his love for family and friends through giving gifts, whether it be a novel gadget, cash, or a story or two. This is especially true of his family. He had 14 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild that he enjoyed lavishing with toys or humorous anecdotes from his childhood or history of Texas. He had a tremendous appreciation for the beauty of God's creation: mountains, streams, meadows and wildlife, which he especially savored through his travels to Colorado. He was a voracious reader and maintained that curiosity to learn and explore through books, magazines, and maps up until the end. Ellis was preceded in death most recently by his before wife, Rachel, in 2021; his parents; his brother, Franklin. He was preceded also by his brother-in-law, Rodney Gant and his wife, Katherine, as well as his sister-in-law, Louise Cucovatz. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Moore; Ellis Kyle Barrier and wife, Tonya; Jennifer Barrier Jones and husband, Mark; Kristie Barrier Stith and husband, Jeff; Morris Knight Barrier and wife, Heidi; grandchildren: Stephanie Jones; Mallory Jones; Andrew Barrier; Eric Barrier and wife, Alex; Ben Stith and wife, Meagan; Ryan Barrier and wife, Elizabeth; Hannah Stith Pennington and husband, Brett; Bethany Stith; Abbie Stith Douglas and husband, Micah; Julia Stith; Joshua Barrier; Caleb Stith; Anna Kate Barrier and Avery Barrier; and one great-granddaughter, Sadie Jean Pennington. Ellis also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews. He is forever adored and will be greatly missed. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, September 17, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Gunter with Pastor Scott Jordan officiating. Burial followed at the Gunter Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Alstyne, Texas.   Gunter Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |