Annie Ruth Dillon Barnes, of Wilmington, died peacefully Saturday, July 26, 2014, at the age of 86. She lived a long and blessed life and was loved by everyone who knew her.
She was born Nov. 2, 1927, in Woolwine, Va. to Hillery and Maggie Dillon. She was one of nine children. Her brother, Harold and sisters, Thelma, Gertrude, Iris, Edna and Ethel, preceded her in death. Her two surviving sisters are Lou Hall, of Kinston and Carleene Davis, of Chattanooga,Tenn.
Mrs. Barnes married Thomas Wilson Barnes, also of Virginia, on Feb. 7, 1948, and they enjoyed 66 years of blissful marriage together. The couple lived in Camden, S.C. for 37 years prior to moving to Wilmington where they became members of Wesley United Methodist Church.
She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her many interests included flower gardening, family and friends, church activities and traveling with her husband to many places throughout the world. They made friends wherever they visited.
She was an exceptional friend to all who knew her and will be remembered for her love of life, her laughter and her compassionate heart.
She is survived by her husband, Tom; sons, Thomas Wilson Barnes, Jr. and wife, Marsha, of Lebanon, Tenn., Jerry Dillon Barnes and wife, Suzanne, of Seaford, Del. and Kenneth Dee Barnes and wife, Elizabeth, of Wilmington; grandchildren, Valarie Barnes Dalton and husband, Richard, of Nashville, Tenn., Hilary Barnes, of Atlanta, Will Barnes, of Knoxville, Tenn., Jeremy Barnes and wife, Shannon, of San Diego, Carrie Barnes, of Atlanta, Brett Barnes, of Seaford, Del. and Kelly Barnes Smith and husband, Gerald, of Eaton, Ohio; and great-grandchildren, Skylar Barnes, Braylon Barnes, Zoe Barnes, Gideon Smith, Aubrey Smith, Griffon Smith and Annabelle Smith.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Bradley Creek Chapel, 315 Willow Woods Dr., Wilmington, NC 28409. Following the Saturday visitation, a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. The Rev. Margaret Hockett and the Rev. Beth Hood will be officiating the service. Dr. Betsy Curtis will provide the music.
If you choose to make donations in Mrs. Barnes’ memory in lieu of flowers, please consider Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr. Wilmington, NC 28401, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church ,1401 So. College Rd. Wilmington, NC 28403 or Women Of Hope, 1642 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home.
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