Charles Barnes' Obituary
Charles Leon Barnes, Sr., son of Mack L. and Myrtle L. Reid Barnes, was born January 28, 1925, in Smithfield, Missouri. He departed this life Tuesday, February 10, 2009, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, and twelve days. On February 7, 1947, he was united in marriage to Mary Areta Murphy, and to this union two daughters and one son were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary, on November 26, 2004; and a number of brothers and sisters. Charles is survived by two daughters, Marilyn McCloud, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Janice Barnes, of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, Charles L. Barnes, Jr., of Lebanon, Missouri; six grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lois Pendergrass, of Alexandria, Virginia, and Mary Sgheiza, of Sacramento, California; two step-brothers, Robert Barnes and Donald Barnes, both of the State of Arkansas; three step-sisters, Vera Mae Soole, of Billings, Missouri, Agnes Crut, of Clever, Missouri, and Ruth Kimber, of Paradise, California; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was raised near Aurora, Missouri, and graduated from Aurora High School. He served his country faithfully in the United States Navy from 1942 until 1946, during World War II. He then earned a Bachelor Degree in Education from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. During this time, he and Mary made their home in Springfield and then moved to Rolla, Missouri for a few years, where Charles began working for the Missouri Highway Department. In 1972, the family moved to Lebanon, Missouri and Charles continued to work for the highway department and also was a local distributor for the Springfield News Leader for a number of years. Charles was a founding member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon and served as a Deacon. In his spare time he was an avid reader and particularly enjoyed western novels. Caring for his family was the most rewarding part of his life and he greatly enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Charles was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services for Charles Barnes will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2009 at Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon, Missouri, with burial in Veterans' Park at Mt. Rose Memorial Park, Lebanon, with full military honors. Visitation will be 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2009 Return to top
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