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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Arnetha Barnes
Arnetha
Barnes
Dec 23, 1921 — Feb 15, 2021
Philadelphia
Arnetha Barnes' Obituary
Arnetha (Kenner) Barnes was born to the late George and Julia (Gary) Kenner on December 23, 1921 in Newberry, SC. She peacefully departed this life on Monday, February 15, 2021. She was the youngest of two children, as her older sister was the late Lillie Mae McCracken, of Atlanta, GA.
Arnetha was married to the late James L. Barnes Sr. for many years, until his death in 1978. Both of their mothers lived with them until their passing, and she lovingly referred to their family unit as "Jimmie and Neat - and the Two Old Girls". Her late husband, James, had one son, Arnetha*s late stepson, James Jr., from whom they have five grandchildren: Denise Henley, Janice Barnes, Darryl Barnes, Eric Barnes, and Fran Barnes.
Arnetha was delivered by her Grandmother, Carrie (Haltiwanger) Gary, who was a Mid-Wife and a "Seer" - One with Second Sight. She was preceded in passing her dear aunts and uncles: Emanuel Gary, Carrie McGee, Coley Gary Sr., Mattie Long, and Frances Young; and her beloved husband, James L. Barnes Sr.
Arnetha first moved to Spartanburg, SC with her mother when she was about 5 years old, and shortly after, they moved to Brooklyn, NY where she started school. When she was about 10 years old, they moved to Philadelphia, PA where she completed her education in the Philadelphia public school system.
For many years, Arnetha worked as a Sewing Machine Operator making clothing for LW Foster, Jansen Sportswear and Sears. She attended Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), founded by the late Reverend Leon Sullivan of Zion Baptist Church, and later became an employee of Philco-Ford Electronics, where she retired as a Quality Control Inspector after 18 years of employment.
After retirement, Arnetha completed courses at Temple University to become a Nursing Assistant, and worked part-time for Bayada Nurses in Willow Grove, PA for several years, where she received numerous expressions of gratitude from the families of her many clients, for the care she had given to their loved ones.
Arnetha was a member of Zion Baptist Church for more than 60 years, since 1959. She was a member of The Choraliers choir for several years and has always been an eager volunteer for many church events and organizations. She served many years as a member of the Women's Community League of Zion, once as Chaplain and regularly as a decorator for the annual fund-raising Fashion Shows conducted by that group. She later volunteered at the Germantown YMCA, working with a group of seniors from the church called
"Five and Fit", who spent quality time and took trips with preschool-aged children.
Arnetha is survived by her cousins, Dolores Young and Coley (& Barbara) Gary Jr.; her second cousins who refer to her as "Aunt Neat": Ronald Gordon, Jr., Kathleen (& Nathaniel) Clayton, Jacqueline (& Joseph) Moore; Diana Wynder, Winifred Gordon, Daniel Waite, Geraldine (& Blair) Brooks, Arlene Gordon-King; and Eric Gary.
She is also honored by her life-long friend, Larein Robinson, whom she has always regarded as her sister; her long-time neighbor, Joseph Connor, whom she referred to as her adopted grandson; her long-time close friends, Wardell Barefield, Valerie Richardson, and Asa McCollum; and a host of great-grandchildren, godchildren, great nieces and nephews, generations of cousins, close friends, fond acquaintances, good neighbors, and fellow church members.
Hers was a life well-lived, until the wonderful age of 99 years old.
Prayerfully Submitted,
The Family
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Funeral Services for Arnetha Barnes
Viewing
February
24
Wednesday
Alfonso Cannon Funeral Chapels, Inc.
9:00 - 11:00 am
Celebration of Life
February
24
Wednesday
Alfonso Cannon Funeral Chapels, Inc.
Starts at 11:00 am
Interment
February
24
Wednesday
Forrest Hill Cemetery
Starts at 1:00 pm
Arnetha Barnes' Guestbook
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