Ms. Annie E. Barnes

Her Life… Annie Elizabeth Cox-Barnes was born October 23, 1944 to the late Geneva Williams and the late Richard Teele of Bethel, North Carolina. She was educated in the Pitt County School System attending School in Bethel NC. She worked the fields of Carson Farm alongside her sisters and brothers. She picked cotton, tied tobacco and picked cucumbers. She was a hard-working youngster. Annie, nickname “Booney” as she was affectionately referred to by family and friends, was a mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, auntie, church member, sister in-Christ and a friend. No one was a stranger in her eyes. If you were blessed enough to have met her, you would have felt the love she had for you. She was a praying woman of God, a praying mother, God-fearing and loved the saints of God. “Booney” was married at an early age to the late Odell Cox, Sr. They later moved to Brooklyn, New York to follow the American Dream, and to build a life and family together. While living in Brooklyn, she volunteered as a Teacher’s Aide at Public School 179 and was a member of Bethlehem Holy Temple Church. She had an infectious smile, always giving and always loving. Annie, the epitome of hospitality, would welcome you in her home, cook for you and show love and care. It would make sense that as she left New York City for a different scene, she would also find her niche in the hospitality industry. Annie worked for the Washington-Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington, DC, as a waitress, worked part-time as a personal caretaker and served for nearly twenty years in the hospitality industry before retiring. It was not long after moving to DC that Annie found her new church home. She could not just live anywhere and not belong to a church, so she joined The Miracle Revival Center presided by Reverend Boyce Clinton Truesdale. Both her niece, Nora Burnette Brown and she later became members. The Miracle Revival Center now known as Miracle Evangelistic World Wide Ministries was based in Annapolis, Maryland. The church later moved their location to Washington, DC, and accepted Annie as their first member to join. It was later that Gayle and the Truesdale’s kids (Jeff, Annette, Darlene, and Clinton) form the ensemble, called The Miracle Workers. Reverend Truesdale is still bragging that Annie was his first tithe payer!” She was a true and a faithful member. Annie later moved back to her roots where it all began, in Bethel, North Carolina. Being back with her best friend, Lena Mae and being surrounded by her family and friends was a joy. She later married Larry Barnes, a long-time friend of more than 40 years. Her Love Although Annie was now a “city girl” having left Carolina, she always found herself going back to visit. Annie loved her family, her children, her church and she loved people. She especially loved children and children loved her. Her sister, Lena Mae, and she would get up early on Saturdays and go looking for yard sales…”who does that?” “Booney” would buy all sorts of “stuff.” She didn't keep the same furniture year after year…that was not her style; Annie would change furniture like most people change clothes. However getting new and different things was here style. Annie would sell her old furniture for little or nothing and sometimes she would just simply give it away. Whatever Annie did with the old furniture; she had to make room for the new. Annie loved her co-workers at Sheraton Hotel; Yvonne, Doris, Mr. Herbert, and Gabrelle. She loved her 2nd church home in DC, St. John Baptist Church, Sallie Bruce, Senior Pastor. Annie loved to talk, watch old westerns and can tell you their TV character’s name and their real name. Her favorite western show was a toss-up between Big Valley and Gun Smoke. Annie loved Chinese food and pig feet which she called them pig-foots. Her nephew, Clifton’s (aka “Rabbit”), neckbones and dumplings were her favorites. Working at the Sheraton Hotel served her well for she just simply loved good food. Lastly, Annie “Booney” loved The Lord, loved church, her church members, praising God, and praying. SHE LOVED! Annie loved Pastor T. White and his wife, Bishop Love and his wife, good music, the Fall season, the cold weather (more than the hot summers). SHE LOVED! Annie loved her grandchildren, other folk’s children and their children. If she knew you had children, she would ask, “how are your children doing?” “Are they okay?” What’s their name?” How many children do you have?” Her questions and answers can go on and on. At the end she would say, “Alright now, take care sugar.” OH, SHE JUST LOVED! How do you know she loved you? You were given a nick-name or you were referred to as “hun,” “baby,” or “suga.” Her Legacy 5 Children, 2 Step-Children Michael “Michael Angelo” Odell Cox, Jr. (deceased), Marilyn Ann “Gayle” Cox, Otis “Rube” Eugene Cox, Jimmy “Baby” Cox (deceased), Daphne Ann “Miss Butter” Cox, Larry “DeDe” Barnes and Brandon “BeBe” Barnes. 9 Grandchildren Michael’s daughter, Crystal; Otis’s two sons, Colin and Bryant, Jimmy’s two sons, Nelonte and Jimmy Jr. Daphne’s two children, Krystian and Javon, Larry’s two children, Beyonce and Tiara; Gayle’s two god-children; Latasha and Kennedy. Her siblings (preceded) Mable Everette, Dorothy Williams, Majorie Barnes, Ada Ruth Williams, Leatha Mae Pratt, Velma Rogers, Josephine Daniels, Willie Williams, James Williams, and Ervin Williams. “Booney” leaves to treasure her memories, to three children; Marilyn Ann “Gayle” of Oxon Hill, MD, Daphne “Miss Butter,” and Otis Eugene both of Washington, DC; two step-children, Larry D. of Bethel, NC, Brandon of Rocky Mt, NC; nine grandchildren, Crystal, Krystian, Javon, Nelonte, Jimmy Jr, Colin, Bryant, Beyonce and Tiara; two sisters, Lucille Williams, Elderess Shirley Moore (Richard) all of Bethel, NC; two brothers, Ernest Lee Williams (Josephine) of Bethel, NC, William E. Williams (Barbara), Waldorf, Maryland; faithful niece and helper, Nora Burnette Brown, 34 nieces and nephews; 45 great-nieces and nephews; 10 in-laws a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Ms. Annie E. Barnes

October 23, 1944 - January 3, 2015