Minette Barley

Minette Barlay, age 58, transitioned on Thursday, September 15, 2022, to join her eldest daughter, Victoria Coker-Thomas, and her brothers, Benjamin and Eugene Coker. Minette passed away after her arduous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her daughter, son, son-in-law, grandkids, and friends who will continue to honor her legacy of grace, sheer compassion, and generosity which was beyond compare. Minette was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where she attended Freetown Secondary School for Girls, also known as FSSG. Through hard work and dedication, she became a medical practitioner at Connaught Hospital and worked in this position for over a decade before immigrating to the United States of America. Minette continued to work in the medical field as a nurse at SSM St. Mary's Hospital for over 15 years. Her pleasant and captivating personality was contagious to everyone she met. Minette enjoyed watching African movies and curating various events for her family and the Sierra Leonean community in Jefferson City. She was an impeccable chief of the community. Minette is survived by her son, Brian Barlay; and daughter, Linda Oates-Mansaray; her grandchildren, Rictoria Jones, Adriel Mansaray, Ayan Mansaray, and Asantewa Opare; in-law, Abu Bakarr Mansaray; nieces, Eugenia J. Cawley and Christiana E. Turner; her adopted children, Veronica Shasha and Victor Sesay; friends, Denise Wilson, LaSonya Dunbar, Georgina Thompson (Omo), Magnus John, Helen Barlay, Belinda Woodward, Gladys Coker, the Oates family, and the Sierra Leone Association of Jefferson City. Friends will be received on Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Jefferson City, Missouri. A funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.