Tributes

“If I Can Help Somebody, Then My Living Will Not Be In Vain” Annie Ruth Adams Barnes was born in Pitt County, North Carolina on October 8, 1926 to the late Issac William and Carrie Teel Adams. At an early age of thirteen, she joined the Sycamore Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Annie Ruth was educated in the Pitt County Schools and graduated from the Bethel Union High School in May 1944. Upon high school graduation, she matriculated at the DeShazor’s Beauty School in Durham, NC and became a licensed cosmetologist in 1945. She was the owner and operator of Friendly Beauty Shop from 1959-2010. Annie Ruth married the love of her life, the late Deacon Willie Edward Barnes on December 27, 1945 and was blessed with four beautiful children: James Earl (Jimmy), Donald Eugene (Donnie), Annette Demetria and Keisha Yvette. At the age of twenty-two, Annie Ruth joined the St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church to be with her husband. Over the years, she served St. Mary faithfully on the Mother Board, Missionary Circle, sang in the Senior Choir for over fifty years, taught the Sunday School Primary Class and was an active participant in Bible Study and the Adult Sunday School Class. In 2001, Mother Barnes organized a Senior Fellowship Program at the St. Mary MB Church and served as President until her death. Annie Ruth was also a faithful servant of the community, having joined the Ladies Delight Chapter #10 of the Order of Eastern Star PHA in 1961, the Cosmetologist Chapter #24 and the Greenfield Terrace Community Club. She enjoyed gardening, cooking for her family and friends, traveling to beaches and tourist attractions and attending area church and Senior Fellowship activities. Her legacy will LIVE ON in the hearts of her children, Jimmy (Patricia) of Durham, NC, Donnie (Vonzella) of Greenville, NC, Annette of Jamestown, NC and Keisha of Chesterfield, VA; grandchildren, Jimmy Ako (Maki) of Greensboro, NC, Joey Dean of Greensboro, NC, Tenille of Charlotte, NC and Ashli Jaroscak (Joe) of Washington, DC; great-grandchildren, Anika and Sage of Greensboro, NC. She leaves to cherish her memory, two brothers and two sisters, James A. Adams of Hampton,VA, Leroy Adams of Baltimore, MD, Velma Bratton of Thomasville, NC and Linda Joyce Adams of Greensboro, NC; a host of loving nieces,nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Mrs. Annie Ruth Adams Barnes

October 8, 1926 - April 27, 2019