Vernon Dwight Barnes

Vernon D. Barnes, 86, of Crossett, died May 8, 2018, peacefully at his home.

He was born July 18, 1931, in Bowser, AR and was the son of Howard & Bessie Barnes. He was a graduate of Monticello High School and the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a Business Degree. He was a member of Sig Tau Gamma Fraternity and Masonic Lodge of Monticello. After college, he joined the United States Army and served overseas, in Korea, before being honorably discharged and serving six years in the active reserves.  While on furlough, he married the love of his life Sheila Harris Barnes on Sept. 17, 1955.  They moved to Crossett in 1965 where he lived the remainder of his life and raised four children LaVonda, Rhonda, Sondra, and Vaughn.

Mr. Barnes was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he was a Sunday school teacher.  He worked at Georgia Pacific in Crossett, AR as a System Storeroom Manager for over 32 years.  As a storeroom manager, he invented and implemented the “Skimp” Filing System that was used by GP corporate-wide for over 30 years. On any given day, he loved spending time with his wife at their monument business of 40 years. Setting monuments was a family affair.  The adults did the heavy lifting, and the grandkids loved making the “worms” out of the monument’s settling compound. His grandkids meant the world to him and kept him busy by making Saturday morning breakfast, going on hunting trips and attending sporting events. He loved family “get-togethers” that consisted of lots of food, laughs, and fun. In his retired life, he enjoyed sitting on the front porch reading the newspaper and eating fried catfish.

He was preceded in death by his wife, of 59 years, Sheila Harris Barnes, who he affectionately called “Cat,”; his parents; one sister, Mary Francis Barnes; one daughter, LaVonda Turner; and one infant granddaughter, Bobbie June Turner.

He is survived by his two daughters, Rhonda Bowers and husband, John, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Sondra Flanery of Henderson, Texas; one son, Vaughn Barnes and wife, Jeannie, of Crossett; one adopted daughter, Lynne Mills and husband, Terry, of Crossett; and one brother, Bob Barnes of Monticello; and one sister Jean Barnes Chambers also of Monticello; along with 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren who affectionately called him “Papaw”.

A visitation will be held May 10th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Medders Funeral Home of Crossett. A Celebration of Life Service will be held May 11th at 1:30 p.m. at Medders Funeral Home Chapel, 1564 Hwy 52 W, Crossett, with Rev. Bryan Diffee and Pastor John Martin, officiating. Soloists are Charles Flanery and Britt Boren.

Burial will be at Eden Cemetery. Pallbearers are Chris Gill, Jason Gill, Andy Flanery, Greg Barnes, Tyler Barnes and Chad Turner, Bryson Gill and Cole Gill.  Honorary Pallbearers are his Great Grandkids.

A special thank you to his In-home Caregivers: Monica Smith, Joanna Gill, Stacy Cunningham and Emily Ozment.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Crossett, 500 Main St, Crossett, Arkansas 71635.

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