Vernessa Barnes

September 11, 2021

Vernessa Elaine Barnes; mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a friend to many was called to eternal rest on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Vernessa “Big Vernessa'' Barnes was born on August 12, 1953 to Evangeline Morgan and John Barnes in New Orleans, LA. She graduated from Joseph S. Clark High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Early in her life, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was an active member of St. Paul Church of God in Christ in New Orleans; when she later moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia, she became a member of Covington Drive Church of God of Prophecy. She was a woman of prayer, an amazing seamstress who made almost all of her own clothing along with beautiful clothing for others, and an incredible cook and baker whose sweet potato pies were always a hit at every holiday gathering. In her spare time, she also loved to sing and was a member of the choir at the Lou Walker Senior Center. Most of all, she loved to spend quality time with family and friends laughing, dancing, and making wonderful memories. To cherish her memory, she leaves her two sons, Steven Barnes of Oklahoma and Cleveland Barnes of Louisiana; her grandchildren, Bianca Shelby of Oklahoma, Cianca Shelby of Oklahoma, Steven Barnes Jr., of Oklahoma, Ca’che Barnes of Louisiana, and Cash Barnes of Louisiana; her great-granddaughter, Aryanna Barnes of Oklahoma; her sister, Ethel Grace; her nieces and nephew, Evangeline Grace of Louisiana, Vanessa Ellsworth (husband, Earl) of Louisiana, Tracy Grace, Denise Grace, and Roland Grace of Louisiana, her great-nieces and nephews, Chavanda Grace of Louisiana, Kennetha Grace, Tiffany Taylor of Maryland, Marion Grace of Michigan, DiJonnaise Grace, Tony Smith Jr. of Louisiana, Decarlos Ellsworth of Louisiana, Earl Ellsworth Jr. of Louisiana, Paul Ellsworth of Louisiana, Ehjia Ellsworth of Louisiana, Jovan Grace of Texas, Jovanna Grace, Ashley Grace, Ariane Grace, Ashonique Grace, Chavanda Moye of Louisiana, Sir Romeo Grace of Louisiana, Solomon Grace of Louisiana, King Grace of Louisiana, and Rylee Grace of Louisiana; her great great-nieces, Kiara Martin, Kierra Martin, and Meiko Kelly; her closest friends: Bernice Knight, Dorothy Martin and Brenda Simmons, as well as a host of other relatives and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her mother, Evangeline Morgan; her father, John Barnes; and her son Clifton Barnes. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 25th, 1:00 PM at Davis-Struempf Chapel in Austell, GA, and burial will immediately follow the service at Sunrise Gardens of Memories in Douglasville, GA. For anyone wishing to view the memorial service virtually, a livestream will occur, which can be viewed on Ms. Barnes Tribute Page at www.davisstruempf.com.