Heavens gates swung open to welcome our dear mother, Willie Sue Barnes on June 22, 2019 at 6:20 a.m.

Willie Sue was born November 14, 1935, to Ollie Holder-Jenkins and Almond Jenkins, Sr. in Simpson County, Mississippi, where she was raised and educated in various schools in the county. Mother Willie Sue Barnes retired after 32 years of employment and service at Simpson General Hospital as a Nursing Assistant and later as a Ward Clerk.

As a child, Willie Sue attended Shiloh MB Church, accepted Christ as her savior and was baptized. She served faithfully over the years in many capacities such as Home Mission, secretary, Treasurer, Sunday School Institute, Mother Board. She later moved her membership to Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church where she continued to serve faithfully in these and other capacities until her transition.

Willie Sue Jenkins–Barnes married her childhood friend and love, Nathaniel Barnes on March 8, 1953. To this union of 61 years, six children were born.

Waiting to welcome Mother Barnes is her husband, Nathaniel Barnes; her mother, Ollie Lee Holder-Crawford; father, Almond Jenkins Sr.; brother, Cleveland Crawford, Jr.; maternal aunts, Beatrice Jackson and Juanita Ducksworth; sister-in-law, Rochelle Jenkins; and a host of aunts, uncles, in-laws, family and friends.

Forever cherishing her memories: six children, Harry Dale (Debra T.) Barnes, Larry D. (Jeanette) Barnes, Michele (Gregory) Lofton, Lisa (Israel) Drummond all of Simpson County, Mississippi, Linda (James) Hodge of Mize, Mississippi and Cynthia (Adrian) Williams of Hinds County, Mississippi; five siblings, Almond Jenkins, Jr., Simpson County, Mississippi, Tommie "Peggy" Lane and Manuel "Sonny" Jackson of Stockton, California, Lois Cannon of Rankin County, Mississippi, Shirley (Ivray) Kern of Omaha, Nebraska; one sister-in-law, Maggie Barnes; 33 grandchildren; 83 great grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.