Mrs. Brenda Barnes of Exmore

Mrs. Brenda Iline Barnes, 75, wife of the late Frederick Marvin Barnes, Sr. and a resident of Exmore, VA, walked home to be with Freddy for eternity on Saturday, July 3, 2021.  She was an angel on this earth and is now an angel in heaven.

Brenda was born November 12, 1945, and grew up as the youngest of five children.  Her father was Carlton James Byrd, Sr., and her loving mother and step-father were Virginia Lee Powell Davis and John Davis, both formerly of Exmore.

Brenda worked hard all her life, and at times held down three jobs at once to support her children as they grew up.  She lived a tough life, never having enough money to make ends meet, but always got by with an impeccable work ethic and “the grace of God,” as she would say if she were here today.  Despite not having material wealth, she was rich in the love of her family and friends.  She loved everyone, everyone loved her, and she never met a stranger.  Brenda always tried to bring a smile to your face to brighten your day in any way possible.

When she married her late husband Freddy, she finally had the love of her life to share everything with.  She enjoyed cooking and showed her love through food, preparing Thanksgiving meals with 5 kinds of desserts, 5 types of starches, and several veggies and meats.  She and Freddy called it “The Barnes Cafe”.

Brenda loved going to live with her daughter and family for months at a time.  She would spoil her grandsons with fresh baked cookies, cinnamon rolls and doughnuts, and play board games and card games with the whole family.  They will be eternally grateful for the time they spent together just a few weeks ago, even though Brenda insisted on returning to Exmore instead of moving in with her daughter.

Brenda’s life was filled with people who loved her dearly.  She kept cards from friends received through the years with her photo albums and important papers; that’s how much she treasured them.  She had almost 500 friends and family on Facebook.  Having lost most of her hearing at an early age, texting and social media posts were her favorite forms of communication when not together in the same room.  She loved each and every one of her family and friends, and never hesitated to let them know.

A graveside service will be held at the Belle Haven Cemetery, Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Mike Muender officiating.  In compliance with CDC guidelines, masks are kindly requested to be worn by those not fully vaccinated.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations may be made to Kindness Matters Rescue, Inc., 295 Powell Circle, Berlin, MD  21811.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.

.