Venita Anne Barnum was born May 28, 1935 in Osceola, Missouri to Walter Monroe Kirk and Nellie Mae (Teters) Kirk.  She passed away at her home in Rockville, Missouri September 1, 2020.

She grew up around Osceola, Missouri.  Venita worked as a nurses aid at the Appleton City and Lowry City Nursing Homes.  She was united in marriage to Orval Barnum September 15, 1952.  This union was blessed with 7 children, Dennis, Robert, Sharon, Barbara, Janet, Judy and Cynthia.

Venita was preceded in death by her son, Robert E. Barnum; brothers, James Kirk, Virgal Kirk, Floyd Kirk, Earl Kirk, Walter (Jack) Kirk; sisters, Mary Louellen, Margie Cornet; 2 great grandchildren, Ryleigh Jo Ray and Carl Eugene Ray, Jr.

She is survived by her children, Dennis Barnum of Rockville, Missouri, Sharon Ray and husband John of Eagle Rock, Missouri, Barbara Wolf and husband Steve of Lamar, Missouri, Janet Leslie of Kansas City, Missouri, Judy Riley and husband Donald of Joplin, Missouri and Cynthia Coulter of Hampton, Tennessee; sister, Caroline Smith of Clinton, Missouri; grandchildren, Carl Ray, Gerald Lee Watts, Jr., Jake Watts, Justin Watts, Steven Moore, Chris Moore, Jeff Moore, Jerry Barnum, Debbie Winans, Melissa Chambers, Tyler Barnum, Amber Barnum and Shayla Barnum; numerous great grandchildren along with other relatives and many friends.