A celebration of life service for Lucy Collier Barwick will be held at the Eagle Lake United Methodist Church on Sept. 19 at 11 a.m.

Lucy was born June 2, 1943, in Mobile, Ala. She died Sept. 13 at age 73.

Mrs. Barwick was the daughter of Hunter and Evelyn Collier of Starkville. She graduated from Starkville High School and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Mississippi State University. Mrs. Barwick received further education from the University of South Alabama. Mrs. Barwick taught elementary school in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi and was a school librarian in Alabama at the time of her retirement in 2004. She taught for 38 years. Children have always been Lucy’s love and her Lord blessed her in allowing her to touch the lives of more than 6,000 children during her 27 years as a classroom teacher and 11 years as a school librarian.

Mrs. Barwick was a member of the Eagle Lake United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school. She was a member of the Ladies of the Lake, the Salvation Army Auxiliary and several other groups.

Mrs. Barwick was preceded in death by her parents, Hunter and Evelyn Collier, her husband, Raymond C. Barwick, and precious daughter, Malorie Leigh  Smith Gonzalez.

Survivors include her children and step-children, Steven Hunter Smith of Las Vegas, Greg (Darla) Barwich of Edwards, Todd (Jenifer) Barwick of Vicksburg, Colleen (Bob) Cushman of Dakota, Minn., and Mechale (David) Mayfield of Terry; grandchildren Raylee, Shelby and Brandi Barwick, Austin and Colton Mayfield, Angela (Walker) Sparks, Anna and Aaron (Rachel) Erdmann; great-grandchildren Brayden Sparks, Caleb and Ava Erdmann and Hunter Mayfield; a sister, Kathy (Ronnie) Tubertini of Madison; and a nephew, Chuck Beene.

Lucy’s love of God and family were her reason for living. She is now happy and at peace at home with her Lord. It was her wish that her body be donated to the University of Mississippi Medical Center to be used for research.