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“I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:2
Willis Joe Barnes, 83, passed away on January 11, 2023. Born on October 18, 1939, to Robert S. Barnes and Mattye Laura Berry in Winnsboro, LA, Joe graduated from Magee High School in 1958 and The University of Southern Mississippi in 1963.
Joe married to his high school sweetheart, Joyce Walker Barnes, on June 6, 1960. Together they raised three children, Robbie, Angie, and Sandie.
Joe began his career as a merchandise auditor with International Harvester in 1964. In November of 1968, Joe and his wife opened an independent catalog merchant store with the Sears & Roebuck Company in Magee, MS. He and Joyce ran the Sears Store together until April of 1993. Upon closing the Sears store, Joe went to work for the Simpson County School District, where he eventually retired in November of 2017 after 20 years of service as a Bus Driver and then a Courier.
Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, making it a tradition to take a vacation every year with his wife and children. In later years, he spent time taking his grandchildren and great-grandchildren on many trips and adventures. Joe’s favorite pastimes were reading, hunting, spending time outdoors, and riding his motorcycle. He traveled the American West on his motorcycle for many years alone, with his wife, and with groups of friends. The highlight of his many motorcycle travels was meeting Robert Redford. Joe was an active member of FBC Magee and was especially involved with the church Brotherhood. He traveled “Out West” with the Brotherhood every year on mission trips to build churches and minister to others.
Joe was known as an avid storyteller by his family, friends, and even acquaintances. He loved history and enjoyed telling stories to anyone who would listen about the history of the United States, Simpson County, and especially stories of his family. Tales of time spent with his beloved Grandpa Barnes and Grandpa Berry as a child in Collins, MS, and Mount Zion, MS were some of his favorites.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Joyce Walker Barnes; his three children, Robbie Barnes (Melissa), Angie Barnes, and Sandie Barnes Winters (Stephens); his Brother-in-Law Otto Walker, and family, Sister-in-Law Faye Tew, and family; five grandchildren, LauraLyn Barnes Barr, Whitney Barnes Baker (Brad), Hamilton Winters (Alix), Hollin Winters, and Hallie Winters. He was also blessed with six great-grandchildren who adored their “Pap”, Kaylea Barr, Meredith Barr, Sutton Barr, Laura James Baker, Barnes Baker, and Kadie Ruth Baker.
He was preceded in death by his parents and Brother, Robert E. Barnes and his grandparents Mr. & Mrs. O.E. Berry and Mr. & Mrs. Willis Jasper Barnes.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Kare-in-Home Hospice, Cooperwood Senior Living Center, and AccentCare Home Health and Hospice for their care and support.
Visitation will be Friday, January 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., all at First Baptist Church Magee, MS. Graveside Services and Interment will be at the Collins Cemetery in Collins, MS. Arrangements are entrusted to Tutor Funeral Home in Magee.
Pallbearers will be Steve Tew, Tim Walker, Mike Grubbs, Mark Grubbs, Jack Everett, Dale Berry, Hal Berry. Honorary pallbearers will be Omer Evon Berry, and The Jimmy Holbrook Sunday School Class from First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Joe’s memory to the First Baptist Church Brotherhood, an organization very dear to Joe’s heart. Checks can be made payable to the FBC Brotherhood, Post Office Box 266 – Magee, MS 39111
MageeNews.com is a news source covering Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
