Alexander Barnes

Alexander Barnes, affectionately known as A.B. or Al, was born on March 10,1956 to the late Alex and Nettie Van Barnes. He peacefully walked off into sunset and took his rest on Monday, March 24, 2008.A.B. was the fourth of five children,, and grew up in the Turner’s Station Community of Baltimore County, MD. He received his education from the Baltimore County Public Schools, where he became a football and track star. In 1974, he graduated from Dundalk High School. After graduation, and while attending Essex Community College, A.B. followed in his father’s footsteps and started working for Bethlehem Steel at the company’s Sparrows Point Plant. Throughout his 20 years of service to the company, he was actively involved in the Steelworker’s Union and served as a shop steward.A.B. gave his life to Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Greater St. John Baptist Church of Turners Station, where he enjoyed worshiping the Lord with his parents and siblings. He loved to sing, and was a loyal member of the Hinton Ensemble.After marrying and settling down in Essex, MD with his wife and daughter, A.B. started fellowshipping at the First Baptist Church. It was here that his relationship with the Lord deepened. A.B. was actively involved with the programs of his new church home, including the Adult Sunday School class. Under the guidance and leadership of his Pastor, the late Bishop Isaiah Hill, he became a deacon. A.B. later moved from EssexTo Baltimore, MD, where he joined the New Unity Ministries, lead by the Reverend Johnny Golden. He enjoyed Reverend Golden’s Wednesday Noonday Service and Bible Study, and was a dedicated church member until his death.In the spring of 2005, A.B. began working for the Lifetouch National School Picture Studios as a Customer Service Clerk. It was a totally different world for him after working with machines for so long, but he quickly adapted in his new position. He enjoyed traveling to the various schools and interacting with the students. At the time of his death, A. B. was excited about the spring photography season.A.B. was a friendly and out going man, with a gentle soul and wonderful sense of humor. You could often find him talking and joking with friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his brothers and cousin Rusell. Sports and music were two of his biggest passions. Football and Basketball were his favorite sports; if a game was on you could guarantee he was somewhere watching it. A.B. was an avid Ravens fan, and in recent years, developed a strong loyalty to the San Antonio Spurs. In addition to watching sports, he also loved to watch westerns, especially Bonanza.When it came to music, A.B. was Old School soul and R&B all the way. He was quite the music collector, and at one time, had collected more than 150 records. Whether you wanted to listen to it or dance to it, he could probably play any song you wanted to hear. He loved artist like Kool & The Gang, Prince, Kirk Franklin, and Alicia Keys; but his all- time favorite musical group was Earth, Wind, and Fire (EWT). A.B. couldn’t get enough of them, and you’d often find him singing along with their records. He owned just about every one of their albums and the essential EWT CD collection. Maurice White, the group’s founder,, was his favorite. He always got a kick out of seeing guitarist Verdeen White jumping around on stage too.In addition to these things, A.B. also spent his time helping out in his community. He was actively involved with the tenant association at his apartment complex, and served as the group’s Sergeant-at-Arms. He enjoyed reading and went to the library weekly. Keeping up with current events was also important to him, as he read the paper daily, and regularly watched the cable news shows. Like most of the country, A.B. was closely following the 2008 Election at the time of his death.He leaves to mourn a daughter, Crystal Nicole; two sisters, Dorothy De Shazo and Joan Barnes- Walters; two brothers, Melvin and Stanley; three nieces, Donyale, Maia, and Katrina; three nephews, Lamont, Stanley Jr., and William (Joey); one brother –in-law, Vernell De Shazo; one sister-in-law, Sabrina; two loyal childhood friends, Percy Clinton and Gregory Shelton; a devoted and beloved friend, Delores Feagin; ex wife, Pamela, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Alexander Barnes

March 10, 1956 - March 24, 2008