Virginia Barnes of Braxton, Mississippi

Virginia Barnes, 95, a tough-talking, gritty Republican died Wednesday, July 22, 2020. She was born in Braxton, Mississippi and graduated from Braxton High School in 1943. Mrs. Barnes was the eldest of seven children born to Johnnie Berry. She was a member of Holly Grove Baptist Church in Braxton.

At the age of 18, Mrs. Barnes moved to Chicago, Illinois to work in a war plant until the end of World War II. While in Chicago, she married Ira Barnes and raised their family. For 34 years, she worked with Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation. After retirement, Virginia and Ira moved back to her native state of Mississippi where she worked with David Glass & Mirror for 20 years. She worked until the age of 88.

Graveside Services will be Friday, July 24, 2020, at 2:00 PM at Holly Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Jonathan Burnham will be officiating. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall is in charge of arrangements (601) 847-4401

Survivors include:

Son: Thomas Ira Barnes and wife Patricia Ann (Shorewood, IL)

Daughters: Wanda Sue Dearing and husband Michael (Newton, MS)

                     Diana Jo Forbes and husband Allan (Peachtree City, GA)

Grandchildren: Michael Wayne Dearing, Marsha Smith, Thomas Ira Barnes Jr., Jason Dearing, Ryan Forbes, Cody Forbes, Ethan Tate, twins: Dalton and Traci Tate

Great-grandchildren: Linsey Smith, Johnathan Smith, Shelby Dearing, Benjamin Dearing, Benjamin Barnes, Hunter Tate, Madeline Barnes, Waylon McMeekan, Wyatt Forbes, Cooper Tate, and Hank Forbes

Great-Great-grandchildren: Amia Ramos and a new set of twins to Johnathan and Amanda Smith, expected in February

Siblings: Ray Berry and wife Gail, brother; Sue Hoggatt, sister; James Berry and wife Dianne, brother; Elton Berry, brother

Preceded in death: Ira Barnes Jr., husband; Debra Ann Tate, daughter; Johnnie & Edna Berry, parents; Lynn Berry, brother; Ann Berry, sister

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com