John Ervin Barnes Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Whereas Almighty God – in His infinite wisdom – has seen fit to call form our midst Deacon John Barnes. His encouraging and beautiful life came to a peaceful end on Sunday March 1, 2020 at his home in Sumter, South Carolina. He had a long and blessed life, doing whatever he could to bless others around him. With gratitude in our hearts for the time God allowed us to share his life, we set aside this day to remember him. John Ervin Barnes, Sr. was born on October 8, 1945 in North Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Frank Barnes, Sr. and DeEster Barnes. He attended public schools and graduated from Soldan High School in Saint Louis, Missouri. He served his country in the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps. He married Mary Barnes and they were blessed with three children, DeEster, John, Jr. and David. John _ affectionately known as “Brother John, Deacon Barnes” or just “Deac” was a faithful and supportive member of The Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc. He confessed Christ, and was baptized in Washington, D.C. (also) in The Church of The Living God, The Pillar and Ground of the Truth where he served for many years as Deacon, Sergeant-at-Arms, Head Deacon and Armorbearer of the Late Bishop Charles E. Hood, as well as Pastor Dorothy Hood in Sumter, South Carolina until his departure. In addition, he was a dedicated staff member of the nonprofit arm of the church at Our Brother’s Keeper Society for the Poor and Disadvantaged in both Washington D. C. and Sumter, S.C. – helping the poor, the needy, and the disenfranchised. He was a man of strength and integrity, loved and respected by all who knew him. Deacon Barnes was THEE handyman of handymen! He was blessed and skilled with the gift of carpentry, plumbing and masonry – just to name a few. And you couldn’t tell him that he wasn’t a bona fide technician- TV technician that is –as he often supplied anyone in need with one of his very own “TV specials.” He would get the unit; work on it to “his perfection,” and deliver it to your home personally with his “lifetime guarantee of “—all YOU gotta do is _______..” {Ya’ll fill in the blank}; Lol, because we’re sure that most of us- if not All of us have a cherished memory of one of these hilarious encounters with him. He loved to cook, and he had one of the most infectious laughs you’d ever want to hear.

John Ervin Barnes Sr.

October 8, 1945 - March 1, 2020