REAY LYNN BARKLEY

Reay Lynn (Wixon) Barkley, 90, of Hubbard Lake, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 6, 2023. She was born to Evelyn (Young) and Lewis Wixon on Aug. 20, 1932, in the same house as her mother in Alpena, Michigan. The Wixon family moved to Flint in the late 1930s, where Lynn graduated from Flint Technical High School.

She married Harvey Barkley in 1952 and they raised their four children in Flushing, Michigan, and spent their summers at their cottage at Hubbard Lake. In their early years, they were active church members at First Baptist Church of Flushing, where she helped out with the kitchen committee and Sunday School. Through her church involvement, she signed herself and Harvey up for a missionary-sponsored Canadian fishing trip in the mid-1960s. The family has continued the legacy of Canadian fishing for five decades (and counting). Beyond the church, Lynn was active in the Flushing community and particularly enjoyed combining her love for traditional design and history in her work as a realtor.

Two pillars of Lynn’s life were her love for her family and her devotion to her Christian faith. She loved hosting family dinners and Christmas gatherings, where she generously nourished and cared for all in attendance. Though she encountered many health challenges throughout her life, she held to her faith in God.

An avid learner, she enjoyed reading, traveling, studying history, and shopping for antiques. She was gifted with an incredible memory for retaining historical details.

Lynn is survived by her children and their spouses: Gregory (Mary Kay), Randy (Lynn), Scott (Mary Jane), and Kay (Dan) Gable. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Laura (Andrew) Ward, Daniel (Allison), Eric (Jaimi), Brian (Jessica Messerschmidt), Katie (Nick Bedbury), Tom (Josie) Gable, Jess Gable (Michael Fana), Sean, and Anna Gable. She is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren, with another baby arriving soon.

Additional surviving relatives include a brother, Lewis (Doris) Wixon, and sisters-in-law Sandy Wixon, Ellen Parker, and Phyllis Barkley. Lynn was preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Harvey, a sister, Kay, a brother, Michael, brothers-in-law Loren Barkley and Gordon Parker, and sister-in-law Doris Dady.

The family is appreciative of Karla and Inez for their friendship and loving care during the past few years.

The service celebrating Lynn’s life will be held on Monday, June 12 at Word of Life Baptist Church (Alpena, Michigan). Visitation will begin at 10 am, with the service beginning at noon (luncheon to follow).

Donations in honor of Lynn’s life can be made to Word of Life Baptist Church or Hospice of Michigan. McWilliams Funeral Home is assisting the family.