Agnes Berniece Barkley was born August 23, 1911 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was the oldest of six children born to her parents, John Charles Barkley (1884-1964) and Ida Eleanor Weddle (1890-1926).

Her father John was born in Kingman County, Kansas; and her mother Ida was born in Fort Wayne. Her siblings were: Leslie Allen, Ralph Eugene, Thelma Irene, Milton Earl, and Ruth Charlotte.

Agnes married her husband Lyal Newton Cole on February 23, 1929 in Valparaiso, Indiana. Together they had eleven children: Duane Lyal, Lorraine Agnes, Blaine Eugene, Wayne Lee, Elaine Berniece, Darlaine Jo, Laine Robert, Marlaine June, Charlaine Ann, Arlaine Rita, and Zane Lynn.

Douglass Lyal Cole described his grandmother Agnes as “the kindest and gentlest woman” he has ever known. She was known to most everyone as “Ma Cole”, she ran a very popular diner in Valparaiso for many, many years.

When she died, Agnes left legacy of humanitarianism, kindness, and a feeling of strength in everyone she knew. She died suddenly on October 13, 1991. She is buried next to her husband Lyal in Kimball Cemetery in Liberty Township, Indiana.

These are the parents of
Agnes Berniece Barkley:
Ida Eleanor (Weddle)
John Charles Barkley
circa 1925

The Barkley family, circa 1900 – Kingman County, Kansas

A Matter of Public Record: Agnes Berniece Barkley

1920 US Census, State of Indiana, Porter County, Porter Township, ED 153, Sheet 5A, Line 31, Image 9/22

1930 US Census, State of Indiana, Lake County, Gary City, ED 3, Sheet 8A, Line 31