Ms. Ethel Newsome Barnes' Obituary
Goldsboro -- It is with profound sorrow grief that we the management and staff of Serenity Memorial Funeral Home join with the Barnes and connected families to announce the earthly transition of Ms. Ethel Barnes, who departed this earthly life at the Lenoir UNC Health Care, Kinston, NC on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.
Ethel Newsome Barnes was born January 14th, 1949, in Wayne County, North Carolina, to Lila Bell and Johnnie Newsome of Fremont. She departed her earthly life on January 12th, 2021.
She attended Norwayne Alumni School and graduated with the class of 1966. She was a lifetime member of Norwayne Alumni and president of the organization for 24 years. She had an illustrious career at Social Security Administration, where she proudly worked for 51 years. An avid member and volunteer of Relay For life and a member of numerous committees, boards, and organizations within the community, state, and nationally. As a St. Matthew AME Zion Church member, she was a devoted Preacher's Steward and rejoiced in being a servant for the lord. She also proudly served as an usher, a delegate for the Cape Fear AME Zion annual conference, and was chair of the COVID-19 task force. She had a pure heart and believed strongly in making and keeping family connections. She did this by keeping the tradition of Newsome Family Reunion alive for over 30 years. She lived her life as a true missionary and was always ready to serve others. She traveled to 45 states and loved traveling with her Golden Girls, Polly, Brenda, and Edna Gail.
She is survived by her three children, Brian (Angelena) Barnes of Greensboro, Johnathan Barnes of Goldsboro, and Hope (Demario) Hayes of New York. Six grandchildren that she kept every summer, Two sisters, Thelma Rogers of Fremont and Cassandra Newsome of Fremont.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Lila Bell Newsome, two brothers Johnnie Newsome Jr., Floyd Newsome, and one Sister, Carolyn Reid Suber.
Ethel requested In Lieu of Flowers donations be made to her family.
Services of Love & Compassionate Care have been entrusted to Serenity Memorial Funeral Home & Cremations, LLC.
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