Annie Mae Barnes

Obituary Mother Annie Mae Barnes, today we celebrate the life of Born in Quitman County, Mississippi on December 30, 1930, Annie was the second daughter of Celia and Robert Brooks, Sr., the third of eight children. She was educated in the Belzoni School system and grew to become a woman who lived a life that honored God. Annie was a natural born helpmate, caring for her siblings while her hard-working mother worked the fields. She often said, “I’ve been raising children all of my life.” . . . A wife of noble character who can find? Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. Proverbs 31:10. . . She met and married Lee Andrew and to this union six children were born. When Annie and Andrew journeyed to Kansas City to make a better life, all of her younger sisters eventually followed her. The couple helped each of them find jobs and get settled in the city. . . . She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family. Proverbs 31:15. . . She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27. . . It was customary for her to rise early and stay up late tending to family tasks and assisting with family business. With her children enrolled in the public school system, Annie was an active member of the PTA. She also served in various officer positions for each of her girls' Girl Scout Troops and the family home became the distribution center for the troop’s Girl Scout Cookies. Annie was very industrious, first working odd jobs as a domestic, then as a nursing assistant at area hospitals and private duty caretakerfor area families. Often times, Annie would take on additional work to help meet the needs of their growing family. At the prompting of one of her employers, Annie enrolled in Aline Jefferson Beauty School and became a licensed Cosmetologist. With Andrew’s support she became an entrepreneur, and they established the Barnes Beauty Salon in the basement of their home. This enabled her to see her children off to school in the morning and greet them when they returned home every day. She maintained a client base that helped her support the family until her retirement in 1996. . . .She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverb 31:26. . . As a 60+ year member of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, Annie has served as a Sunday School teacher, worked with the scholarship committee and the Grief Ministry, and was honored as a Mother of the Church. She taught her children to obey God and trained them in righteousness, instilling in them the values of living with the Lord. When asked her favorite scripture she declared “I've been abased and I've been abound, but I have learned to be content in all circumstances.” This became her life philosophy, her legacy, as she cultivated a spirit of gratitude. For God had graciously blessed her from humble beginnings to manifest joy. In 1969, KPRS radio selected her as “Mother of the Year” based on an area essay competition. She was continuously the family caregiver. She provided care to her daughter, Sharon, as she fought cancer and traveled to New York and later Birmingham to nurse Audrey during her illnesses. "#$ Finally, she was on hand to assist in the care of Shaniel during her sudden battle with cancer in recent months. Annie was preceded in death by her husband Lee Andrew, Sr., daughters Sharon Marie and Shaniel Felice, granddaughter Javonti Danielle; and siblings Clara Streeter, Robert Brooks II, Charlie Mae Falls and Lewis Brooks. She leaves to cherish her memory – three daughters: Carolyn Doolin Wiggins, Vernessa Barnes, Audrey Roberts (Daniel), one son Lee Andrew, Jr. (Terri); three grandsons: Edward Doolin, Adrian Doolin (Milissa), Lee Andrew, III; three great-grandchildren Xavier Doolin, MacKenzie Doolin, and Deon Barnes Arnold; three siblings Essie Walker, Celia Jordan (Richard) and Louise Brooks; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral services Saturday, February 20, at 1:00pm at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church 2310 E Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64109. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery. Visitation 12:00pmn-1:00pm at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence a. Jones & Sons To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Annie Mae Barnes, please visit our floral store. Read More

Annie Mae Barnes

December 30, 1930 - February 7, 2021