Elizabeth Louise Allen Barksdale, age 96, passed away Monday, August 1, 2016, at her home in Keysville, VA. Born April 30, 1920, in Prince Edward County, she was the daughter of the late Bert Walker Allen and Mary Hillsman Allen. Louise served her country as an Air Control Commander in the United States Air Force and later worked for many years as a beautician in her home. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Overton Barksdale Sr. and sons, Clarence Overton Barksdale Jr. and James Allen Barksdale. Louise is survived by a son, William Walker Barksdale (Daphne); a brother, Hugh Earl Allen; daughter-in-law, Chrissie Queensberry Barksdale; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was a kind and generous person who was dearly loved by her family and many friends.  Louise was a devout Christian and faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church, Drakes Branch, VA. 

The family would like to thank Louise’s caregivers for giving her the opportunity to live at home for the last years of her life.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2016, at Friendship Baptist Church, with interment that followed in the Church Cemetery, Drakes Branch, VA. The family received friends at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, August 4, 2016. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Friendship Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA, is in charge of the arrangements.