Emma Jean Barnes, 96, of Apopka, FL, died on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, with her family and closest friend, Marilyn Smith, by her side.
Visitation will be held Sunday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Butler Funeral Home in Chatham, 8855 State Route 4. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, Aug. 26, beginning at 11 a.m. at Chatham United Methodist Church, 104 West Chestnut Street, with the Rev. Miriam Snider and the Rev. Keith Anderson co-officiating. Burial will follow in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield.
Mrs. Barnes was born Oct. 2, 1922, in Coffeen, to Charles Edward and Emma (Stoddard) Bridgewater. She married Francis "Frank" Leroy Barnes, and he preceded her in death.
Her husband of 60 years served as a major in the U.S. Air Force, and as a young family, they lived throughout the U.S., Germany and Newfoundland. The family returned to their hometown, Chatham, where they raised their family. She retired to Apopka, FL, in 2003.
Mrs. Barnes was an active member of the Chatham United Methodist Church for 84 years, and was most recently an associate member of the UMC in Mt. Dora, FL. She was also active in United Methodist Women for over 50 years, and served as board member for Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana and president of the Chatham Library Board.
She loved to sing and participated in church choirs where she lived.
Mrs. Barnes is survived by her sons, Lynn (Lourdes) of Chula Vista, CA, Steven (Bernadine) of Winston-Salem, NC, Jeffry of Rochester and David (Colleen) of Chatham; grandchildren, Samuel Barnes, Myra (Paul) Pomeroy and Ashley Barnes; and great-grandchildren, Dylan Davidson, Jason Kemp, Drake Pomeroy, Aydin Pomeroy, Emma Pomeroy and Grayson Barnes.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Irene Willeford, Mary McDonald and Edward, Francis, Charles and Robert Bridgewater; and her granddaughter, Michelle Barnes.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Cunningham Children's Home, P.O. Box 878, Urbana, IL 61803.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.butlerfuneralhomes.com.
