Carol Adele Barnes, 88, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care in Tarkio, Missouri. She was born on July 11, 1931, at the family farm house in rural Northboro, Iowa, to Fred and Lucille (Emery) Meyer.

Although Carol grew up in Northboro, she graduated from Westboro High School, Westboro, Missouri, in 1949. Carol was the homecoming queen during her junior year in 1947.

Carol married Kenneth Dwain Barnes in 1953 at Locust Grove Methodist Church near Shenandoah, Iowa. As newlyweds, they lived in Laguna Beach, California, while Kenneth served his country during the Korean War. They were happily married for 63 years.

Upon her husband being discharged in 1954, Kenneth and Carol returned to Westboro to start farming and begin their family. They began farming the Lester Ebert farm in the North Star district, later moving to the Olin Barnes farm between Westboro and Elmo, Missouri. In 1970, Kenneth and Carol built a home in the Westboro area where she lived to the present time.

Carol was a member of Westboro United Methodist Church and was very involved with the women’s church activities. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking and sewing clothes. Her favorite memories were her times with her husband in Hawaii, California, and Washington state, where they explored nature. Most of all, she and Kenneth enjoyed having any and all of their 11 grandchildren to their home for various adventures and festivities. Whatever the occasion, the grandchildren loved special treats prepared by Grandma: her famous “Coke” float, black cow, homemade milkshake, cookies, and sugar pies. Every Christmas (a Barnes tradition), she read Bible stories to her kids and grandchildren. This tradition will carry on forever. She will be missed! Carol was the “ROCK” of the family; her presence meant “home.” Her witty sense of humor brought laughter to everyone. She enjoyed life at every stage. She always brought us together and led the group during all holidays.

Besides her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, in 2015; an infant son, Curtis W. Barnes, in 1954; sister, Laurel Craven; and brother-in-law, Maurice Sharp. Survivors include sons, Tracy (Holly) Barnes, Fairfax, Missouri, Kirby (Ana) Barnes, Indianapolis, Indiana, Joel Barnes, Westboro, and Roddy Barnes, Richmond, Virginia; daughter, Colette (Kevin Maelzer) Barnes-Maelzer, Olathe, Kansas; grandchildren, Dustin (Erica) Barnes, Kelly Pruitt, Spencer (Lindsey) Barnes, Jase Barnes, Goldie Barnes, Mitchell Barnes, Kaleb Maelzer, Mathew Barnes, Nathan Barnes, Jacob Maelzer, and Alexa Barnes; great-grandchildren, Aislyn and Kolcyn Barnes, and Lannie Barnes; sister, Coral (Kenneth) Elandt, San Miguel, California; brother-in-law, Hale Craven, Tarkio; sister-in-law, Bonnie Sharp, University Place, Washington; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service was held Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at the United Methodist Church in Westboro. Interment was held at High Prairie Cemetery, Elmo, Missouri. The services were conducted by Rev. Julie Sanders. Memorials may be directed to United Methodist Women, Westboro. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com. Services were under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.