OFFICERS
HEIDI FOIST
PRESIDENT
Heidi Foist
President, Farmersville Historical Society
"Preserving Our Past For Our Future"
Heidi Foist serves as President of the Farmersville Historical Society, where she leads efforts to preserve, protect, and promote the rich history and heritage of Farmersville, Texas as well as the Historic Bain-Honaker House & Museum. With a deep passion for continuing the legacy brought before her, for the local history, the members of the Society, and community engagement, Heidi oversees and attends preservation initiatives, educational outreach, grants, and is the social media manager for the Society.
"Our board and our members mean a lot to me. We are all volunteers of this organization, and I truly appreciate each one's attributes to the Society."
Heidi is also involved in several town committees including Audie Murphy Day, and Old Time Saturday that helps to bring the Historic Bain-Honaker House and the Society members together.
Heidi is a Retired Nurse, and a Veteran of the U.S.A.F., was Vice-President of The Farmersville Historical Society from 2023-2024, and is a life-member of the Society. She also won The Presidential Service Award in 2024. Chairing the Annual Spring Luncheon for both 2021, and 2024, she has an admiration for bringing the citizens of Farmersville and others from afar to supporting creative events brought on by the Society!
Heidi is also a member of Lakepointe Church of Rockwall and serves in office with the church online platform.
WINNETTA MORROW
VICE PRESIDENT
Winnetta Morrow has been a member of the Farmersville Historical Society for over twenty years. She has held many officer positions in the organization, including President. Upon retirement from Texas A&M University-Commerce, she and her husband, Charles, moved back to their hometown of Farmersville.
As previous Historian, she designed a scrapbook of articles and materials concerning the history of the Society and events in Farmersville.
BEVERLY LENOIR
TREASURER
Beverly lived in Abilene for around 30 years and moved to Northeast Texas about 13 years ago to be nearer grandkids.. They live in Wylie, where they run a weekly Meals on Wheels route and read with first graders at a nearby elementary school.
Beverly taught and was Vice President for Academic Affairs at McMurry University in Abilene and is being honored in 2023, McMurry’s 100thanniversary, as one of the McMurry 100, people without whom McMurry might not exist in 2023. She is active in Altrusa of Collin County and Collin County Genealogical Society. Her parents grew up in Farmersville and all four grandparents and all eight great-grandparents are buried in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Farmersville.
AUTUMN FUENTES
SECRETARY
Autumn Fuentes serves as the recording secretary for the Farmersville Historical Society and currently resides in Celeste, TX. Originally from Dallas, she moved to Farmersville in 2019 with her husband and daughter. Recognizing the importance of preserving our past, she has contributed her wealth of expertise to the society. She is dedicated to transcribing comprehensive records of discussions and debates during meetings.
Growing up, Autumn developed a strong passion for history by watching historical programs and specials on TV. This interest led her to pursue living history after visiting the Bain-Honaker House. Among various historical periods, she is particularly enthusiastic about the American Wild West era. Since joining the society in 2021, Autumn has also explored her own lineage and undertaken numerous projects involving historical clothing and artifacts.
As the lady of the house, Autumn is kept busy with homeschooling her daughter, nurturing her garden, and tending to her flock of chickens. In her leisure time she can be found baking delicious treats, honing her sewing skills, exploring the art of crocheting, and expressing her artistic talents through painting. Autumn's exceptional baking skills have garnered recognition within her community. Her winning of the esteemed "Best Tasting" cake award at the Farmersville 150th birthday celebration led to a feature about her in the local newspaper, celebrating her baking achievements and contribution to the event. She loves the small town culture Farmersville harbors and can be found on market day at the Bain-Honaker house entertaining and educating guests with her knowledge and charm.
LINDA HESS
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Linda Jane Hess, born in Farmersville, Texas, 1946
Graduated from Farmersville High School, 1964
Received BS at ETSU, 1967; M.ED at ETSU, 1974
Certified Academic Language Therapist, 1991
Teaching Career – 40 years
Active Member First Baptist Church, Farmersville
50 Year Member – Delta Kappa Gamma
20 plus Years Member – Collin County Historical Commission
Member of Ten plus Genealogical Societies including DAR
Wrote and compiled, Preserving Collin County History, 2023
Presently serving as Corresponding Secretary, Farmersville
Historical Society, “Preserving our History for the Future”
Enjoy traveling throughout the world; researching genealogy
LYNDA BARNETT
HISTORIAN
Lynda May Barnett
Farmersville Tx 1945-1964
Tatum Elementary ‘51-58
Farmersville High School
Class of 1963
University of North Texas
1963-1964
Married next door neighbor
James W. Barnett Jr 1964
Moved to Dallas/Garland
1964-1994
Two sweet girls Becka 1968 & Jimalee 1972
Stayed home 12 years
Jim in Garland Police Dept
I worked for GISD in PE aide 1979-1983
Returned to ETSU ‘83
Graduated 1984
Worked as PE teacher
1985-2003 (GISD)
Moved back to Farmersville
in 1994 & shortly after became a lifetime member of
Farmersville Historical Society.
I appreciate & love this body of hardworking volunteers. They are dedicated to preserving the BH house, educating our young students, and documenting our city’s history for future generations.
I have been the publications chairman for four years.
LiAnn Pennington
REPORTER
LiAnn is very proud to be a multigenerational descendant of American colonists. History has always been extremely important to her. Liann is dedicated to reporting the activities and events of the Farmersville Historical Society to the community. As a retired nurse. LiAnn shares her time between volunteer assignments and her interests of geneaology, high school athletics, and theatre. LiAnn moved to the area in 2022 and treasures her time spent with her grandchildren and husband.
BERTIE NEU
PARLIAMENTARIAN
Bertie was president of the Farmersville Historical Society from 2013-2024. After retiring from the Dallas Independent School district in 2000, she was able to give more time to her interests in history and genealogy She moved to Farmersville in February 2011 and became a member of the Society two months later. In the last four years, over $80,000 has been raised to restore the 158-year-old Bain-Honaker House. This restoration was made possible by many loyal supporters and grants from the city of Farmersville, Collin County Historical Commission, Texas Historical Commission and other generous organizations. Restoration of the house continues to be one of her goals of preserving the past for our future.