Helen Drake Barnes, 93, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at the Northampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jackson.
Helen was born on July 2, 1924 in Northampton County, NC to the late Matt Thomas Drake and Ophelia Lassiter Drake. Helen lived life to its fullest and greatly enjoyed traveling and visiting friends, having fun no matter where she was. She had many hobbies such as gardening, reading, and shopping. Helen was a great example of life. She cherished each day and would often pray “everyday” is a great day. If you asked her to go fishing, she was always ready to go and enjoyed being with her many friends. Helen never met a stranger and would always start up a conversation with anyone she met. She loved Rehoboth United Methodist Church and her church family. A wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Linwood Barnes; her sisters, Mary Ella Deberry, Elizabeth Rogers, Dorothy Frost, and Ruby Braswell; her brothers, John Drake, Billy Drake, Lewis Drake, Joe Drake, and Lloyd “Bunny” Drake; and her son-in-law, Bo Ray.
She is survived by her daughters, Kay Barnes Futrell and husband Bernie of Rich Square and Gayle Barnes Ray of Jackson; her son, James Thomas “Tommy” Barnes of Jackson; her sisters, Ruth Drake Barrett of Raleigh, Annie Drake Warren of Norfolk, VA, and Deanie Drake Collier of Lasker; her grandchildren, Melissa Mayo, Tina Peterson, Neil Ray, and Scott Futrell; her great-grandchildren, Luke Mayo, Owen Mayo, Lawson Mayo, Emily Peterson, and Morgan Futrell; her special sister-in-law, Ann Drake of Lasker; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018 at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service of Rich Square.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the Rehoboth United Methodist Church in Jackson. Interment will follow at the Jackson Cemetery. Pastor Randy Crowder will be presiding.
Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made directly to the Rehoboth United Methodist Church, c/o Steve Edwards, P.O. Box 146, Jackson, NC 27845 or online by clicking here.
Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service of Rich Square is handling the arrangements for the Barnes family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.
Aunt Helen was such a joy , My brother Boo and i just loved visiting with her sitting late at night in kitchen hearing her share memories over coffee and food. Grace enjoyed seeing her at Jeanettes pier one night we all fished late and she had the restaurant owner to fix the fish and we ate well until midnight. Such wonderful times with her. She will be greatly missed.
Aunt Helen was such a blessing to me and my family especiallly when my brother Boo and i could come an stay with her. It was always a joy to just sit at the kitchen table with her and talk about precious memories, laugh, drink coffee and eat her food. She had a beautiful smile and i dont think she ever met a stranger. One fond memory was when i took Grace and Boo to Nags head we stayed at one of Annies cottages. We went late to Jeanettes Pier. Grace was fishing and an old hippie showed her how to fish, So Helen called and said what ya doing told her Grace was pulling in all kinds of fish at the pier, by then it must have been 11pm, Helen said i am on my way, she came and got the restaurant owner to open up and he cooked all the fish and we had the best time just sitting with Helen laughing an eating fresh fish. Grace will never forget that, i wont either. She will be missed!
Mrs. Helen was such a special lady, I remember her always smiling and talking about the beach. She loved all of us in the neighborhood as if we where her own. I have fond memories of her including my graduation party and my going away party when I joined the USCG. You will be greatly missed but I know you are celebrating with mom and Grandma Mary right now.
Aunt Helen was such a talented woman and she will be greatly missed.She was so proud of her family, her grand kids and able to bring you up todate on all the good things going on in their lives. Seems like she had something cooking all the time and she could rustle you up a good ole fashion country meal in just about 10 minutes. Just like Mama Drake, she could grow anything. Yes, Aunt Helen loved life, people and fishing and she will surely be missed. My heartfelt prayers go out to Kay, Gayle, Tommy and all the grand children.