Nelwyn Joy Middlebrook Barefield

Nelwyn Joy Middlebrook Barefield, age 96, of Lake Murvaul in Panola County, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Pelican Point Nursing Home in Maurice, Louisiana. She was born on July 12, 1930, in Clayton, Texas, to the late Joe Jarell Middlebrook and Sarah Cosette Reed Middlebrook.

Nelwyn married Eugene Thomas “Gene” Barefield on March 13, 1956, in Carthage, Texas. Throughout her working years, Mrs. Barefield worked as a bookkeeper and church secretary and was also an Avon representative until her retirement.

Nelwyn enjoyed reading, entertaining, R.V. camping, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys. She and Gene shared a love for traveling and made many wonderful memories together as they traveled across the country, from Maine to Alaska, in their various campers. Their home at Lake Murvaul was a special gathering place where they loved welcoming guests, neighbors, friends, and family. Nelwyn especially enjoyed entertaining and spending time with those she loved.

Mrs. Barefield was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clayton. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene Barefield; and her son, Eugene Timothy Barefield.

She is survived by her children, Mike Barefield and wife Pamela, Teresa Gilland and husband Harold, and Tommy Barefield; brother-in-law, Woodie Barefield; eight grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Clayton Cemetery. Following the graveside service, family and friends are invited to a luncheon at 12 noon at the First Baptist Church of Clayton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Clayton, P.O. Box 37, Clayton, Texas 75637.

A guestbook may be signed online at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.