Willie “Louise” Barnes
June 5, 1927 – August 29, 2023
Willie “Louise” Barnes, 96 of Prince George, VA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 29, 20223 at Lavender Hills Nursing Home in Orange, VA after a prolonged battle with dementia.
Louise was born in Snow Hill, NC on June 5, 1927, and moved to Portsmouth, VA during WWII, where she worked in the Norfolk Naval shipyard supporting the war effort. There she met her husband of 64 years, Edwin G. Barnes. She was predeceased by her husband, Edwin; son Donald; parents William and Eva Gavin; sisters Cleo, and Juanita; brothers Kenneth, William “Billy”, Wilbur, Richard, and Milo.
Louise is survived by her son, William “Jerry” Barnes (Maureen); her brother, James “JC” Gavin (Debbie); sisters Nan Smith and Diane Simonowich; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Louise was a devout Jehovah’s Witness and enjoyed being active in her congregation.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5 at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 3920 Airline Blvd, Chesapeake, Virginia 23321.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont, https://hopva.org/
Both Nancy and I will miss her 😢 💔. Our prayers for her son Jerry and Maureen. We loved her too.
Love Mark and Nancy Collins
Jerry and Maureen. So sad to hear the passing of your mom. May her memory be a blessing to all that knew her.
Aunt LOUISE was truly an amazing woman. She served her God Jehovah with all of her heart and loved and cherished her family. I will never forget you, and you will live forever in my heart. Those who met you were blessed.
Thank you Jerry and Maureen for caring for Louise in such a fine way. Jerry you are a good son.
She loved her family and loved her God Jehovah.
We appreciate you. John and Lillie Diaz
She was always a lady, a class act.
Jerry and Maureen are as respectable as they come for being there always.
So sad to hear that Louise has passed away. She was like a mother to me and always kept me straight. We always worked side by side in the field ministry. I just had a call yesterday from a call we did. They wanted to know how Miss Louise was doing. We all will miss her.
I love you grandma and I will miss you dearly, our talks your wonderful cooking everyday was Thanksgiving in your home because everyday I give thanks to our lord and savior for providing me with the most wonderful grandmother a young man could ever wish for. When I pray at night to my lord in heaven I now know you’ll be there hearing my prayers and watching over my children and I. I love you grandmother rest now knowing you’ve fulfilled this life fully.
Angelica and Angel Woodhouse
I’m so very sorry for your loss and indeed all of our loss. Sister Barnes was so funny , I’ll always treasure our conversations.
I thank Jehovah for providing her with such a loving and caring son and daughter in-law.
So sorry to hear the inevitable, the highway many has travel with no detours along the way. We’ve spent so many years working together in the ministry, at our meetings, conventions, even, with the upkeep of our Kingdom Hall. Her desire was to care for the flower beds but realized that was a bit much as she was aging. She was always positive, never complaining or badmouthing anyone. Truly exemplifying Jesus’ example found at Matthew 11:28, 29 -“Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves.” I miss the proud conversations of her husband, children and the concerns of the generations that followed. She was certain to encourage them to follow the way of righteousness. I’ll be remiss if I fail to mention LEMON CAKE! She was a master at cooking, but if there was her lemon cake in the mix, the event would not end without getting an oversize slice of it. And true to her Godly generosity, when she saw that I was often too busy to get in line before the cake would run out, she would set a slice for me and ensure I got it. I think of her, Ed, her son, the fallen trees I cut up from the storms and the warm winters by the woodstove from them and look for the red car under the carport each time I pass her house. She’s a sister, a mother I will never forget. More important, neither will Jehovah, because He is loyal to such faithful ones, thus remembering them, and rewarding them with everlasting life in the paradise soon to come. 2Peter 3:13
Growing up, Loise was a huge influence in my life, embodiment of what it meant to have Jehovah as our heavenly father. She was a living example of patience, kindness, and having joy in our life despite any circumstance. Even now, grown and having grown children of my own, I remember how she would gently sigh and then explain a moral concept in different terms that a preteen could understand and grasp. And her smile could make a person feel the most welcomed of anyone standing there. I am so grateful for the promise given by Jehovah for a resurrection. My deepest empathy to the family and friends who knew her best.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I’ve always admired and loved the Barnes family. I pray you have all the strength and peace you need during this time. You were a good son Jerry and blessed to have her for so long. Thank goodness she’s no longer suffering and can meet with other loved ones now.
Love to you all
Evelyn ♥
I am at a loss of words to describe the long life I had with my Mom. She was a parent, a teacher and as I grew she was my friend and confident. My earliest memory is of me , as a toddler, setting on her lap as she sang Hank Williams sings to me. I will always cherish that memory. Mom could, when necessary, be a disciplinarian, but always with love.
She talked often of her childhood and the love of her parents. She was especially close to her Dad. My Mom loved family.
I’m heartbroken today, but her memory and what we shared will turn that heartache to smiles as family and friends remember her together.
I thank you all for the love shown to her memory and the wonderful things written by each of you.
I remember when I met Louise many years ago. I was married to her brotherKenneth, now also deceased. She was such a sweet lady and a wonderful cook. You would never turn down a meal at her house. I never heard her speak an unkind word about any one. She will be missed by everyone who had the previledge of knowing her. Thank you Jerry and Maureen for all you did for her during her final days on earth. Helen Gavin-Renaud
Thank you Jerry and Maureen for all you did for her during her final days.
I remember when I met Louise many years ago. I was married to her brotherKenneth, now also deceased. She was such a sweet lady and a wonderful cook. You would never turn down a meal at her house. I never heard her speak an unkind word about any one. She will be missed by everyone who had the previledge of knowing her. Thank you Jerry and Maureen for all you did for her during her final days on earth. Helen Gavin-Renaud’s
Im so sorry for your loss . Louise was a beautiful person. I grew up knowing her . She was a humble and kind person. I remember seeing her at many meetings and summer conventions at the Hampton Coliseum. It was always a good time with her. Yes she loved her God Jehovah. And now she is in his memory book and when he calls she will answer. Job14:13-15 until then we will miss her . Love always . Beverly and Mom Lois