Thelma E Barnes

Thelma Ernestina Barnes was born on August 30, 1923 to Arthur and Ida Gilbert in Baltimore, Maryland. She passed away quietly, on Friday, June 5, 2015 with daughters at her side. She spent much of her childhood in the east and finally moved west to the Ozarks of Missouri. Times were difficult back then and her father had to work hard to support their family. Thelma had to leave home for work at the age of 12. She began her caregiving career, living with a couple in Forsyth, Missouri, caring for an elderly woman and her husband all the while, going to school. Upon graduation from high school she enrolled in nursing school in Springfield, Missouri attaining her registered nursing degree from the Drury College of Nursing. While in college Thelma met and married Fred (Bill) William Barnes in 1946. To that union six children were born. Known to her large and loving family as “Tommy”, her loving and caring spirit was evident to all who knew her and even those lucky enough to simply cross her path. Throughout her life she shared her joie d’ vivre with everyone. Thelma is survived by children John William Barnes and wife Mary of Houston, Missouri, Molly Barnes Tomlin and the late Terry Tomlin of Bastrop, Texas, Peggy Barnes Baumgartner and husband Allan of Little Fork, Minnesota, Sally Barnes of Jefferson City, Missouri, Wendy Barnes Mueller and Kim of Anchorage, Alaska, and Kelley Barnes Lamson and husband Ronald Hollenbeck of Bastrop, Texas. In addition she is survived by eleven grandchildren, Adam John Barnes of Houston, Missouri, Chad Tomlin and wife Neala of Smithville, Texas, Chuck Tomlin and wife Stephanie of Bastrop, Texas, Joseph Baumgartner and wife Megan of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cody and Amanda Ramsey of Houston, Missouri, Jake and Amanda Ramsey of Houston, Missouri, Michael Staples of Anchorage, Alaska, Randy Staples of Anchorage, Alaska, Courtney Ralph and husband Ryan, of Bastrop, Texas, Brittany Lamson and Wade Azevedo, of Abilene, Texas, and Zachary and Lauren Meuth of Bastrop, Texas. Thelma also is survived by twelve great-grandchildren, her sisters Louise Jenkins of Kansas City, Missouri and Ellaine Chaney and husband Archie of Willow Springs, and numerous nieces and nephews. Thelma was preceded in death by her mother and father, a sister Ethel Coffman, mother in law Ethel Barnes and W.J. Barnes, husband Bill Barnes, and son-in-laws Terry Tomlin and Michael Lamson. Thelma’s loving niece Misty Rogers will sing for her Aunt Thelma at the funeral. Services for Thelma Barnes will be at the Bastrop Providence Funeral Home with Cody Whitfill officiating. Visitation will be Sunday June 7, 2015, at the funeral home from 6:00-8:00 pm and the funeral there following, on Monday June 8, 2015 at 11:00 am. Burial will be at the Tomlin Family Cemetery.