Ruth Vernell (Nell) Barnes

December 12, 1933- December 8, 2024

Ruth Vernell Barnes, 90 of Madison, MS passed away Sunday, December 8, 2024. She was born Tuesday, December 12, 1933 in Tylertown, MS.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home, 412 Beulah Ave., Tylertown, MS from 11:00 AM until funeral service at 12 noon. Burial will follow in New Zion Cemetery in Tylertown, MS with Reverend Michael Knippers officiating.  Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Nell was the widow of Charles M. Barnes, who preceded her in death in March of 2002 after over 46 years of loving marriage.  She was a long-time resident of Jackson, MS, returning to Tylertown with her husband in 1997.  They both loved fishing, traveling (especially camping), and spending time with their many friends and family.

Nell remained in Tylertown after Charles passed away, where she was a member of New Zion Baptist Church, and very active in several church activities.  She often spoke fondly of helping with Vacation Bible School year after year, primarily working in the kitchen.  Several years later, Nell moved to Madison, MS and became a resident of St. Catherine's Village where she remained until her death.  She really enjoyed the life at St. Catherine's, where she made many new friends, and enjoyed socializing and playing games, seemingly all day and every day.  She became so enthralled in her activities there that many times when her family called to check in, she answered her phone by saying "Let me call you back, I'm playing!!"   Despite moving to Madison, she continued to make time to keep up with her family and friends in Tylertown and New Zion, as well as those scattered across the country.

In addition to her husband, Nell was preceded in death by her father, Herbert Pope; mother, Bessie Odell Brumfield Pope; and sister, Alice Faye Pope Walters.

Survivors include her sons, Michael Barnes (Kim) of Clinton, MS, Greg Barnes (Karen) of Madison, MS, and; grandchildren, Lauren Barnes (Danny) of Nicholasville, KY, Lisa Beck of Birmingham, AL, Alison Langley (Kirsten) of Pensacola, FL, Zachary Barnes (John) also of Nicholasville, KY, and Jeffrey Rucker (Abbey) of Metairie, LA; 4 great grandchildren, brother, Bobby Pope (Marie) of Tylertown, MS, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Pallbearers will be Zachary Barnes, Jeffrey Rucker, Doug Tadlock, Wyatt Tadlock, Danny Mattingly, and Keith Davis.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Gene Loper and the entire staff at St. Catherine's Village for their kindness, compassion and expert care over the almost 15 years she was a resident there.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New Zion Baptist Church, Tylertown, MS, the St. Catherine's Village Employee Christmas Fund, Madison, MS, or a charity of your choice.