House Resolution 40

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. WILLIS JOE BARNES.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on January 11, 2023, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Willis Joe Barnes, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Magee, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend and a loving husband, father and grandfather with the passing of Mr. Barnes, who was born on October 18, 1939, to Robert S. Barnes and Mattye Laura Berry in Winnsboro, Louisiana, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Barnes graduated from Magee High School in 1958 and furthered his education at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1963, and while he was in college, he exchanged the vows of holy matrimony with his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Mrs. Joyce Walker Barnes, on June 6, 1960, and they raised three beautiful children together, Robbie, Angie and Sandie; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Southern Mississippi, Mr. Barnes began his career with International Harvester in 1964, and in November 1968, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes opened an independent catalog merchant store with the Sears & Roebuck Company in Magee and ran the Sears store together until April 1993; and

WHEREAS, after the Sears store closed, Mr. Barnes began working with the Simpson County School District, where he eventually retired in November 2017, after 20 years of service as a bus driver and then a courier; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Barnes loved spending time with his family, making it a tradition to take a vacation every year with his wife and children, and in later years, he took his grandchildren and great-grandchildren on many adventures; and

WHEREAS, in his spare time, Mr. Barnes loved reading, hunting, spending time outdoors, telling stories of history and of his family, and riding his motorcycle throughout the American West, which led to his most memorable trip when he met Robert Redford, and he was also an active member of FBC Magee, where he was especially involved with the church brotherhood who would take mission trips every year to build churches and minister to others; and

WHEREAS, the memory of Mr. Barnes, a man held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of his beloved survivors: his loving wife of 63 years, Mrs. Joyce Walker Barnes; children, Robbie Barnes (Melissa), Angie Barnes and Sandie Barnes Winters (Stephens); brother-in-law, Otto Walker and his family; sister-in-law, Faye Tew and family; grandchildren, LauraLyn Barnes Barr, Whitney Barnes Baker (Brad), Hamilton Winters (Alix), Hollin Winters and Hallie Winters; great-grandchildren, Kaylea Barr, Meredith Barr, Sutton Barr, Laura James Baker, Barnes Baker and Kadie Ruth Baker; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" and renewed in their faith that Mr. Barnes fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7 by having "fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Willis Joe Barnes, a gracious man who loved his family, friends and community unconditionally, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. Willis Joe Barnes, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Willis Joe Barnes and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.