Obituary of Betty Nicole Barela

Betty Nicole “Critter” Barela, age 17, of Mount Vernon, left this earthly life to ride her way to Heaven where she is rodeoing with all of the cowgirls who have gone before her. Nicole was born on October 6, 1997 in Mount Pleasant, Texas to Valarie Lynn Odum Barela and Kinneth Perry Lester. Nicole was a junior at Mount Vernon High School. Nicole was a true country girl born and raised. She had a love for animals and the rodeo participating as a barrel racer and serving as Franklin County Sherriff Posse Rodeo Princess in 2008. Nicole was active in the FCCLA and the FFA where she served as an advisor for several years. Even as a young girl, Nicole was active in sports. She played softball, volleyball, and basketball. Like most teenage girls, Nicole enjoyed cosmetology and getting dressed up. She was a member at Clearwater Baptist Church. Those who knew Nicole the best will remember her for the love she had for her family. She particularly enjoyed the road trips they made together. Nicole was proud to serve with her “Pop” on the South Franklin County Volunteer Fire Department. When Nicole wasn’t riding her beloved horse “Cowgirl” she would most often time be found riding in her Z71. Nicole’s love for life, her many friends, and beloved family will be missed by all who knew her. She had the heart and smile of an angel who is now riding the hills of Heaven. Nicole is survived by mother, Valarie Barela of Mount Vernon; dad, Kin Lester of Scroggins; Grandmother, Betty Odum of Houston, TX; Grandfather, Jerry Odum of Herrin, IL.; sister, Courtney Barela of Denver, Colorado; nieces, Jayda-Lynn Stevens of Mount Vernon and Hope Barela of Denver Colorado; brother-in-law, Jeremy Stevens and fiancé Lindsey Beauchamp of Houston, Texas; aunt, Tammy Faelber, and husband Brad, of Denver, Colorado; uncle, John Odum, and wife Christina, of Niceville, Florida; and by 16 cousins. Funeral services for Betty Nicole “Critter” Barela will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, April 2, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon with Reverend Bill Holmes officiating. Burial will follow at Clearwater Cemetery with Joey Carrel, Kyler Deal, Dayton Lane, Travis Mardoch, Mitchell O’Neal, Jacob Watts, and Brandon Williams serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers are the 2015 Junior Class of Mt. Vernon High School. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M., Wednesday evening at Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home. A balloon release will follow the graveside service at the cemetery. Condolences to the family can be made at www.samharveyfuneralhome.com.