Umilta Barnes

Umilta S. Pierre Barnes, daughter of the late Fitzroy Pierre and Enid Moore Pierre, was born on July 6, 1946 on the beautiful Island of Trinidad in the town of St. James. She departed this life on August 2, 2004 after a lengthy illness.She received her high school diploma from Mucuropo Girls RC School. After graduating from the John Donaldson Institute, she received her student visa and came to America. She obtained employment at Macy’s Department Store in New York City. While working at Macy’s she met and married Lamont B. Barnes.In 1969 Umilta and her husband relocated to his hometown Baltimore, Maryland where she gained employment as a civilian employee at Fort Meade Army Base. She followed her husband to Santa Ana, California for his tour of duty with the U.S.M.C. where their only child, a son, Kareem Lamar was born.Separating from her husband, Umilta returned to the Washington, D.C./Maryland area, settling in Silver Springs, Maryland. She obtained work as a budget analyst at the Walter Reed Hospital.She enjoyed working and raising her son. In 1981, Umilta moved back to Brooklyn, New York to help run the family business, West Indian Tobacco, Inc. From there she moved back to Baltimore where she took residence with her mother-in-law, Mary Myers, as she worked as a home care provider.Umilta was diagnosed with leukemia, from which she was already ailing, coupled with the disease of addiction. As a result, life became very hard for her. She remained a kind, giving and loving person while dealing with her own life struggles. She loved reading and writing poetry. Umilta endured many trials. Her life had its share of battles with the enemy. During her last months, she renewed her relationship with Christ. This gave her the strength to carry on until she was called home after her body was tormented with numerous complications.She leaves to mourn: a husband, Lamont; a son, Kareem; a daughter-in-law, Candice Speaks Barnes; five grandchildren, Christina, Kindra, Khalil, Kynell, and Khalin; a mother-in-law, Mary Myers; six sisters, Myrna, Beulah, Cicely, Jacqueline, Denise, and Lynn; two brothers, Leroy and Dexter; a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and other loved ones.

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Umilta Barnes

July 6, 1950 - August 2, 2004