Mary Barnes

WILSON – Mary Fields Barnes, 90, our beautiful, kind, and loving mother received the promise of eternal life with her Lord and Savior on the afternoon of March 5, 2022 at our family home. She was surrounded by her three loving children holding her in our arms.

Committal Service, Saturday, March 12, 2:00 PM, at Evergreen Memorial Park. Following the service the family will welcome friends at our home in Wilson.

Mrs. Barnes was born in Snow Hill but grew up in Wilson. She graduated from Charles L Coon High School in the class of 1949. Mary worked with Chappell Letter Service in Wilson and later in the office at First Baptist Church where she was a member. After marriage to Luther H Barnes in 1954, Mary realized her God-given gift as a homemaker and mother to three children who survive her. As well, she personally typed all Dad's correspondence to customers which contributed greatly to his success in business. LH and Mary built our family home in 1964 where extended family and childhood friends loved to visit often. Our lives were so blessed here with great neighbors and so much fun was had by all. We spent weeks over many summers at Topsail Beach, sometimes with extended family and our parents' mothers too! Mom loved Christmas so much that our large house sometimes was graced by as many as 3 lighted and decorated trees. Mom was a gardener extraordinaire and meticulous about her home landscaping which she solely maintained up until just the last 10 years. All her energy went into creating beautiful things whether on the sewing machine, knitting and crochet needles, needlepoint, crewel or cross stitch. Her home is filled with many examples of her handiwork. Mary was also very active with Christian Women’s Club for a number of years taking pride in designing and creating a unique name tag for each monthly meeting. Most of all, she was a devout believer in Jesus Christ. In her later years at home Mom was sustained by the ministry of Moody Church brought to her by Bible Broadcasting Network (BBN) on the radio and daily devotions from Days of Praise produced by the Institute of Creation Research.

The most important thing that sustained Mom through this journey was the loving care given by the following: Jackie Bryant, "sister from another mother" has been devoted to our family since the time that Dad was living. Cindee Harrison, who also assisted with Dad, came back for Mom when she needed so much more care at home. There is a reason why everyone who came into contact with Mom fell deeply in love with her. Our family loves you for loving our Mom.  The family sincerely thanks Wilson Community Hospice nurse Ann Durham for her care and guidance to the family through this journey. The awesome night caregivers Lauren and Darlene were provided by Lighten the Load Elder Care (Teresa Hendricks). Our hospice nurse recommended Patricia Harris, an experienced caregiver, who spent all weekends with Mom since the time she left the hospital in November last year.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Mary Beth Barnes Fields (Frank) of Charlotte and Amy Jo Barnes of Waynesboro, VA; son, Haywood Barnes (Debbie) of Charlotte; granddaughters, Meredith Sledge Kempf (Sam), Ridgely Barnes Foster (Blake), Emmie and Millie Barnes; grandsons, Webb Sledge (Jessica), Blaine Sledge (Cooky), Benjamin and William Barnes; sister, Brenda "Patsy" Fields Heath (Ralph) of Concord and brother, James C. Fields (Janice) of Raleigh.

Mrs. Barnes was preceded in death by her husband, Luther Haywood Barnes; parents, Blaney and Bessie Mae Dail Fields; sisters, Joyce Fields Davis Warren and Alma Fields Owens.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Moody Church Media, www.moodymedia.org and/or Bible Broadcasting Network, www.bbn1.bbnradio.org

A Memorial Tree was planted for Mary

We are deeply sorry for your loss - the staff at Wilson Memorial Service

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