FAYETTEVILLE — Jo Barnhart,

76, of Fayetteville, has lost her courageous battle with cancer. She died on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at home. She was born July 3, 1945, in Searcy, Ark., the daughter of Mark and Lorene (Allen) Raymond. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Clayton W. Barnhart and her mother, Lorene Raymond. Jo was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister. She will be missed. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Justin Eichmann and her grandchildren, Elliot and Eleanor, all of Fayetteville, her sister and brotherin-law, Rosemary and Dennis Halsey of Tucson, Arizona, as well as many close friends and family.

Jo graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1963. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Home Economics with an emphasis in dietetics in 1967 and completed her Dietetic internship at Baylor University Medical Center in 1968. She started work at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville as a Registered Dietitian that fall and retired as the Chief of Dietetic Services at the VA in 1999, after 31 years of service. Jo loved to travel. She and Clayton travelled throughout the United States and took many road trips following their retirements in 1999. Jo continued to travel after Clayton’s passing and took many trips to Canada, Europe, and across the United States with family and friends.

A celebration of Jo’s life will be held at a later date. The family wishes to thank the staff at Washington Regional Hospice for all their care and support during Jo’s final weeks. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Washington Regional Cancer Support Home in her memory. The address is, 488 E. Longview, Fayetteville, Ark., 72703. To place an online tribute, please visit: www.bernafuneralhomes.com