Willis Barnes Obituary Willis Holcombe Barnes March 24, 1929 － October 29, 2022 Franklin － Willis Holcombe Barnes, 93, of Franklin, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 29th, in her home.Willis married her husband, James Clifton "Cliff" Barnes, who predeceased her after 64 years of marriage. She was the youngest child born to a big family, and her beloved siblings predeceased her and their spouses as follows: Gladys Holcombe, Flora Simone (Joe), Bonnie Battle (L.B.), Doris Bradshaw (R.H.), Brac Holcombe (Marguerite), Marvin Holcombe (Dorothy), C. J. Holcombe, Jr. (Amy), Dawn Wright (Stockton) along with her niece Emily Holcombe and nephews Richard Edward and Elliott Wright.Willis's two daughters, Diane Barnes (Jon Otis), New York City, Joan Barnes (Dave Patzke), Cartersville, Georgia, and her grandsons, Payne Patzke, Woodstock, Georgia, and Parker Patzke, Atlanta, Georgia, will miss her dearly. Her nieces and nephews include Pam Gavrity, Cliff Holcombe (Leslie), Allen Story, Lemuel Battle (Leslie), Ann Wright, Barbara Barnes Umphlett (Donnie), and many great nephews and nieces. Our family is grateful for the love and dedication of her wonderful caregivers.Willis was born in Southampton County to her parents, Clifton James, Sr., and Gabie Ella Holcombe. She graduated from Courtland High School and had a twenty-two-year career as an executive secretary at Birdsong Peanuts. She warmly welcomed family and friends to her home. The sun porch door was always open with appetizers and Virginia peanuts! She loved playing bridge and enjoyed this game throughout her life. She served many years as a member of the Woman's Club in Franklin and participated in important events. She maintained her relevancy well into her nineties with her Facebook page, computer skills, and a love for Hallmark movies. Willis was active on Zoom and in touch with her family weekly. She traveled to the Outer Banks and Williamsburg within the last year. Willis attended Harvest Christian Church and was grateful for the support of her minister, Pastor Randall Wright.Memorial contributions to Harvest Christian Church, 27002 Smith's Ferry Road, Franklin, Virginia 23851, or Hunterdale Volunteer Fire Department, 201 Delaware Road, Franklin, VA 23851.A service honoring her life will be on Saturday, November 5th, at 2:00 pm at Wright Funeral Home, 206 West Fourth Avenue, Franklin, Virginia. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, November 3rd at Wright Funeral Home from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. The graveside service is private for the immediate family. Family and friends are welcome to sign the online guest book at https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org as we say farewell to Willis Barnes ~fondly known to family and friends as Smookie! Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory － Franklin on Nov. 1, 2022. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/Willis-Barnes 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/willis-barnes-obituary?id=36957485 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ## Narrative Summary of the Obituary Willis Holcombe Barnes, 93, of Franklin, Virginia, passed away on 29 October 2022. She was predeceased by her husband James Clifton Barnes after 64 years of marriage. Willis had a 22-year career at Birdsong Peanuts and was active in her community. She is survived by two daughters and two grandsons. ## Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A service honoring Willis Barnes' life was held on 5 November 2022 at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, Virginia. The family received friends on 3 November 2022. A private graveside service for immediate family was conducted. The burial location was not specified. ## The Edited Obituary Willis Barnes Obituary Willis Holcombe Barnes 24 March 1929 29 October 2022 Franklin- Willis Holcombe Barnes, 93, of Franklin, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, 29 October, in her home. Willis married her husband, James Clifton "Cliff" Barnes, who predeceased her after 64 years of marriage. She was the youngest child born to a big family, and her beloved siblings predeceased her and their spouses as follows: Gladys Holcombe, Flora Simone (Joe), Bonnie Battle (L.B.), Doris Bradshaw (R.H.), Brac Holcombe (Marguerite), Marvin Holcombe (Dorothy), C. J. Holcombe, Jr. (Amy), Dawn Wright (Stockton) along with her niece Emily Holcombe and nephews Richard Edward and Elliott Wright. Willis's two daughters, Diane Barnes (Jon Otis), New York City, Joan Barnes (Dave Patzke), Cartersville, Georgia, and her grandsons, Payne Patzke, Woodstock, Georgia, and Parker Patzke, Atlanta, Georgia, will miss her dearly. Her nieces and nephews include Pam Gavrity, Cliff Holcombe (Leslie), Allen Story, Lemuel Battle (Leslie), Ann Wright, Barbara Barnes Umphlett (Donnie), and many great-nephews and nieces. Our family is grateful for the love and dedication of her wonderful caregivers. Willis was born in Southampton County to her parents, Clifton James, Sr., and Gabie Ella Holcombe. She graduated from Courtland High School and had a twenty-two year career as an executive secretary at Birdsong Peanuts. She warmly welcomed family and friends to her home. The sun porch door was always open with appetizers and Virginia peanuts! She loved playing bridge and enjoyed this game throughout her life. She served many years as a member of the Woman's Club in Franklin and participated in important events. She maintained her relevancy well into her nineties with her Facebook page, computer skills, and a love for Hallmark movies. Willis was active on Zoom and in touch with her family weekly. She traveled to the Outer Banks and Williamsburg within the last year. Willis attended Harvest Christian Church and was grateful for the support of her minister, Pastor Randall Wright. Memorial contributions to Harvest Christian Church, 27002 Smith's Ferry Road, Franklin, Virginia 23851, or Hunterdale Volunteer Fire Department, 201 Delaware Road, Franklin, VA 23851. A service honoring her life will be on Saturday, 5 November, at 2:00 pm at Wright Funeral Home, 206 West Fourth Avenue, Franklin, Virginia. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, 3 November at Wright Funeral Home from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. The graveside service is private for the immediate family. Family and friends are welcome to sign the online guest book at https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org as we say farewell to Willis Barnes ~fondly known to family and friends as Smookie! Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory Franklin on 1 November 2022. ## Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Willis Holcombe Barnes | |---------|-------------------------------------| | Age | 93 | | Birth | 24 March 1929; Southampton County | | Death | 29 October 2022; Franklin, Virginia | ## Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |------------------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------| | Willis Holcombe Barnes | Decedent | Franklin, Virginia | | James Clifton Cliff Barnes | Predeceased Spouse | -- | | Clifton James Holcombe, Sr. | Parent | Unknown | | Gabie Ella Holcombe | Parent | Unknown | | Diane Barnes | Child | New York City | | Joan Barnes | Child | Cartersville, Georgia | | Payne Patzke | Grandchild | Woodstock, Georgia | | Parker Patzke | Grandchild | Atlanta, Georgia | | Gladys Holcombe | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Flora Simone | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Bonnie Battle | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Doris Bradshaw | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Brac Holcombe | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Marvin Holcombe | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | C. J. Holcombe, Jr. | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Dawn Wright | Predeceased Sibling | -- | ## Other Relevant Information 1. Willis graduated from Courtland High School. 2. She had a twenty-two year career as an executive secretary at Birdsong Peanuts. 3. She warmly welcomed family and friends to her home, always having her sun porch door open with appetizers and Virginia peanuts. 4. Willis loved playing bridge throughout her life. 5. She served many years as a member of the Woman's Club in Franklin. 6. She maintained her relevancy into her nineties with her Facebook page, computer skills, and a love for Hallmark movies. 7. Willis was active on Zoom and in touch with her family weekly. 8. She traveled to the Outer Banks and Williamsburg within the last year of her life. 9. Willis attended Harvest Christian Church. 10. She was grateful for the support of her minister, Pastor Randall Wright. 11. Willis was fondly known to family and friends as "Smookie".