Shirley Barnes

“My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds has come…” Song of Solomon 2:10-12

Mrs. Shirley Moulder Barnes was born October 23, 1932, and passed away peacefully on March 20, 2023 – the first day of Spring. She went to sleep in a temporary life and awoke in an eternal one. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, at Lorena Baptist Church with Bro. Norris Ables, Bro. Clayborn Huff, and Bro. Robert Fortenberry officiating. Interment will follow in the Lorena Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Forest. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 21, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday prior to the funeral service from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Food was served for family and friends at the church fellowship hall after interment.

Mrs. Barnes was a lifelong resident of the Lorena-Burns communities where she lived out her Christian faith. She retired from Bell South (AT&T) in Forest and was a member of the Pioneers organization. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and a financial supporter of many charitable organizations, such as St. Jude, Paralyzed Veterans, Wounded Warriors, and more. She also supported many ministry organizations. She was so active in her church as long as she was able. After she retired, she taught at Christian Life Academy, an area Christian school where she also attended church. She was a member of Lorena Baptist Church and Bethel Baptist Church – both actively working with the youth and serving in many church offices. Also known as Sister Shirley, Grandma, Aunt Shirley, and Mom, Mrs. Barnes will be remembered for her love for God and people. Her commitment to her faith never wavered, her love for people was unmatched, and her relationship with her Savior only grew stronger during her 90 years.

Mrs. Barnes is preceded in death by her husband, William Glover (Bill) Barnes; her son, William Anthony (Tony) Barnes; her daughter-in-law Peggy Barnes; her parents and all her siblings. Survivors include her son Roger (Sandra) Barnes and her daughter Dianne (David) McLaurin; her adopted daughters Fran Barnes and Kim Holt; seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers were David Moulder, Lee Mangum, Michael Grubbs, Toby Hodge, Robert Hallman, and Alan Barnes. Honorary pallbearers are Matt McLaurin, Cody Pisacka, Jimmy Dan Parkman, Mitch Hallman, George Hallman, and her beloved members of the Lorena Baptist Church Youth Retreat – Bobby Ray Boyles, Roger Walters, Bubba Hawkins, and Scotty Hawkins. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations were made to Gideons International, Inc.

OTT & LEE Funeral Home of Forest is honored to serve the Shirley Barnes family.