Celebrating the life of....Donnie "Donna" Reed Barnes
May 21, 1938 - December 12, 2020
Family Gathering: 821 Bowerwood Drive
Thomasville, NC 27360
Public Visitation: Friday, December 18, 2020
1-6 pm
S.E. Thomas Funeral & Cremation Services
110 Highland Avenue, Thomasville, NC
Graveside Service: Saturday, December 19, 2020
1:00 pm
Carolina Biblical Gardens
5710 Riverdale Drive, Jamestown, NC
Obituary
Donnie “Donna” Ethel Reed Barnes was born May 21, 1938 in Whitmire, South Carolina. She was the fourth of nine children born to the late Mardell and Ell Perry Reed. At an early age, Donnie adopted the name “Donna” because she felt her given name sounded too much like a boy’s name. Donna gained her angel wings Saturday morning, December 12, 2020 at Pine Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Thomasville, North Carolina.
Donna was educated in the Newberry County School System and played guard for Carver High School’s basketball team. God blessed Donna with a giving spirit. She spent her life caring for the well-being of others. Her giving spirit was most evident during the years she faithfully and gladly served as a homemaker for her husband and children. On August 9, 1958, Donna married James Russell “J.R.” Barnes and their union was blessed with five children. Donna and J.R. also raised their granddaughter, Brittany. J.R. preceded Donna in death on May 5, 2018.
While she loved being a wife and mother, Donna found great pleasure in being “Grandma”. There was never a dull moment at Grandma’s house. She created many fond memories with her grandchildren, including watching the Bernie Mac show on television with them, making sure all of them had a spot on her California King when it was time for bed, and reminding them that there was a fly swatter on the wall when they got too rambunctious. One granddaughter, Amy Danielle Clark, preceded her in death. In her quiet, relaxing moments, you could find Donna doing a word find or crossword puzzle, sipping a cup of coffee or drinking one of her Pespis, or watching her soap operas.
In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, Donna cherished her eight siblings and everyone could see the extra special bond she had with her sisters. She loved family gatherings where she and her sisters could sit together talk, reminisce, laugh and joke with each other. Their bond could not be broken by anyone. Two of her brothers, James Arthur “Arkie” and Ed, and two of her sisters, Ejulia “Jute” and Perry Ann, preceded her in death.
Donna leaves to cherish her memories one daughter, Angela Gail “Ann” Reed Clark (Ronald) of Whitmire, SC; four sons Tony Albert Barnes, James Russell “Rusty” Barnes, Jr. (Nichol) both of Thomasville, NC; Kenneth William “Ken” Barnes (Orr) of Fort Mill, SC; and Wesley Jerome “Wes” Barnes (Adrienne) of Raleigh, NC; one brother Ronald Reed (Mahala) of Whitmire, SC; three sisters, Etrulia “Black” Reed of Greensboro, NC, Jerdine “Jerry” Reed Gladney (Charles) and Dora Reed Patterson both of Whitmire, SC; six grandsons Ronald Clark, Jr. (Tonia), Logan Russell Barnes, Skyler Lee Barnes, Brandon Bogans, Brandon Moss and Elijah Moss; five granddaughters, Brittany Latrice Barnes, Jasmine Olivia Barnes, Kristen Danielle Barnes, Brooke Alexandria Barnes and Erin Victoria Barnes; two great-grandchildren, Katlyn Bryanna and Daniel James Clark; several in-laws and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
