Arthur Barnes Sr.

A call to life for Arthur Barnes began on April 23, 1938 through his mother, the late Ollie Mae Sheppardson and his father the late Joseph Barnes in Valley Lee, a small township in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Not long after his birth, his mother moved to Mcherin, Virginia. It was in Meherin that Arthur was reared and where he received his formal education. Arthur regularly attended services at Forrest Baptist Church in Meherin, Virginia and where he accepted Christ as his personal Savior at the age of thirteen. Arthur believed that because his grandfather was a pastor, he knew his future was predetermined. Arthur was not an idle young man. He was always busy doing something- Mosty working and more than one job at a time. Not to mention his many hobbies as well. Arthur worked full time for the Coca cola Company for over Forty-four years before retiring and the redemptive Father Food Center also for more than twenty years. He also worked for over five years for the Vendaddy Trucking Company part time and the Baltimore Tire Company as well. Being a lover of gospel music, he also served as a driver for the Singing Disciples Gospel Group. Arthur enjoyed fishing; listening and attending gospel music and concerts, watching sports on Tv but mostly watching his son play baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and karate. Arthur became a Mason in !991 of the Hiram Grand Lodge. He was also an ad vet motorcyclist and was a member of a motorcycle club in East Baltimore. Arthur also worked part time at Bryant Service Station which used to be on the same corner where March Funeral Home is now located for more then nineteen years; and it was there that he saw the young woman that he declared to his friends was going to be his wife. However, for her, it was not love at first sight, but it did not deter him one bit, especially when he discovered that this young lady loved Coca Cola sodas. He knew for sure destiny was on his side, and he began the task of slow-walking her to the marriage chapel. Arthur won the hand of his love for life and Debbie Guest became Mrs. Arthur Barnes on December 30, 1978. God blessed their union with a son , Arthur Barnes,Jr. Arthur rededicated his life to Christ at the Rising Zion Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Theodore D. Addison, Sr., and remained a member until his call to rest. Arthur loved life and people. No ore was a stranger to him, because there was no one with whom he would not take time to hold a conversation. There was no one he was! As much as Arthur enjoyed life, there was nothing and on one he enjoyed and loved more than his family. He loved vacationing with his wife and son and his Mother-in-law(Love), whom he considered to be his Mother and called her so; besides she was also his co-conspirator in winning the hand of his wife. When he and his wife were blessed to be grandparents, his joy of life became boundless! Nothing made his eyes light up like the mere mention of their names, let alone their presence. There was nothing he would not do for his grandchildren and his family as a whole. Although his health began to fail him and his body endured much trauma , Arthur never lost the spirit of joy and hospitality. Whoever entered his room was always greeted with a smile, even when he could no longer speak, he could still smile. Arthur's night has come and he can no longer work, live,love and play, he has answered the call to rest. In doing so, he leaves his legacy in the hands of his loving and devoted wife of 32 years, Debbie and his son, Arthur,Jr.; Daughter, Wendy Barnes; He leaves his two grandchildren, Autumn and Arthur Barnes, III; two god- children, Paula Perry and Gloria Johnson; One sister, Ethel Barnes of Tarry Town, NY; one brother, James Edward Barnes(Rose) of Meherin,VA. Aunt, Queenie Holloway; mother-in-law, Lillian Guest; sister-in-law; Diane Left (Willie); brother-in-law, Jerome Guest(Paula) and a host of other relatives and friends. Arthur leaves to mourn, two very special people who were so instrumental in caring and watching over him during his many hospital journeys away from home; Mr. Melvin Newsome, his best friend; and Mr Willie Lett, his brother-in-law.

Tributes

Arthur Barnes Sr.

April 13, 1938 - December 23, 2010