Rena Ruth Barnes

RENA RUTH BARNES gained her wings on September 16, 2023, at the age of 87 after a lengthy illness. Rena was born on March 21, 1936, in Lilesville, NC to the late Ross and Clara Rena Leak. She was the second eldest of four children, two preceded her in death, Martha Helen Nixon, and Clarice (Reece) Jackson. Rena received her education in the Baltimore City School System attending Dunbar High School. Rena married the late George Donald Barnes, Sr. in 1955. From this union four children were born, Johnnie, Lettie, George, Jr., (who preceded her in death) and Marsha. During her earlier years, Rena was employed at Hutzler’s Department Store, Reads Drug Store and finally retiring as Manager of the Hosiery Department at Stewart’s Department Store in the Reisterstown Road Plaza. At Stewart’s she perfectly matched her customers size, color, and style. They often asked for her expertise. After her retirement from Stewart’s, she was employed briefly at her sister Reece’s Maine Avenue Day Care Center as a cook. She left the Day Care Center and became a stay-at-home mom and continued to care for the children of family members and friends in her home. Rena was an excellent cook. Her specialty was her potato salad which she often made 10-20+ pounds upon request of her family and friends. On New Year’s Eve she would always make the best homemade souse out of a huge hog head. Rena enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, playing the lottery, watching Steve Harvey on Family Feud, the Young and the Restless and the Bold and the Beautiful. She was lifelong member of Southern Baptist Church, serving for a while on the Courtesy Guild. Until her illness, she faithfully attended the early morning service, along with her sister Reece. She could always be found in the third or fourth row during services. During her illness, she continued to listen to church services on Facebook. Rena leaves to cherish in loving memory: her son, Johnnie Barnes (Martha); daughter, Lettie Haynes (Willie), daughter, Marsha Haywood (Keith); sister, Sylvinia Mae Leak (Wylie, Sr.); sister-in-law, Lettie Reaves; eleven grandchildren, Jamari (Nicholas), Maisha, Cortez, Brandon, George, III (Amanda), Travis, Tennara, Ashley ( John), Jordan, Kayla, and Jaden; four great-granddaughters, Ahjee, Aunya (Robert), Brittany and Scarlett and two great-great-grandchildren, Blake and Robert, Jr.; five nieces, Demeria Moore, Dawn Jeanette ( Jones) Leslie Parker (Patrick), Shantrice Montague (Brandon) and Tyesha Reaves; nephews, Reginald Nixon (Karen) and Wylie Brown, Jr.; a special friend, Maxine Gaines; long-time neighbors, Bernice Stewart and Ethel Shelton; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Rena Ruth Barnes

March 21, 1936 - September 16, 2023