Gail “Maxine” Barnes, 102, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at Houston House.
She was born Dec. 24, 1916, in Plains, Kan., daughter of Julian and Pearl Lee Bell. She and Oscar Barnes were married Dec. 26, 1958.
She grew up in Hutchinson, Kan., and attended Kansas University, where she received her teaching degree. Maxine taught school for 19 ½ years.
After marriage, she moved to Oscar’s farm in Ulysses, Kan., and helped him raise his four children.
She loved bowling and working in her flower garden. She and Oscar did a lot of traveling in his plane and later in a camper. They spent time at Sam Rayburn Lake in Texas fishing.
She loved to paint. She took lessons and became an accomplished painter.
She belonged to the Country View Baptist Church and was very active in women’s missions.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Oscar; and two brothers.
Survivors include two sons, Kenny Barnes of Summersville and Garry Barnes of Ulysses, Kan.; two daughters, Pam Riegel of Elk Creek and Shirley St. Pierre of San Antonio, Texas; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; several great great-grandchildren; five nieces; and three nephews.
Graveside burial will be in Ulysses, Kan., at a later date. Cremation was under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.