Submitted by: Dan Rich

Loretta Lee Barnes

April 26, 1969 - July 17, 2005

South Bend Tribune 7/20/2005

Loretta Lee Barnes, 36, loving mother, wife and daughter, of 4719 W. Sample St., South Bend, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 17, 2005, in the Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness. Loretta was born April 26, 1969, to Linda Johnson in South Bend, Indiana. She married David Bryan Barnes on August 5, 1989. Their union was blessed with four children, Marques, David, Tierra and Zalika. Loretta graduated from Clay High School in 1988. She later worked for Clay High School as a para-professional and then as a teacher's aide, later becoming a lead teacher for Hansel Center's Head Start program. Loretta had been a devout member of New Generations Christian Ministries for many years. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and was also a member of the choir. Loretta was very faithful and a blessing to all. She truly will be missed.

She left to treasure her memory her loving husband, David Barnes; four children, Marques, David, Tierra and Zalika; her mother, Lindy (Emery) Butts; a brother, Allen McPherson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her grandmother, Lucy Williams, her aunt, Cecelia Williams, and her uncle, Jerry Williams, all preceded her in death.

We, the family members of Loretta, would like to give our sincere thanks to Higg Courtland, M.D., Kevin Kristl, M.D., Memorial Hospital's 9th and 11th floors south, ICU unit's doctors, nurses and staff, Mayo Clinic's B. Mark Keegan, M.D., Rush University Medical Center of Chicago's Neurology Dept., Our Lady of Holy Cross Care Center, San Pierre, IN, the Ironwood Health & Rehabilitation Center, Hospice of St. Joseph County; thank you also to all members of the New Generations Christian Ministries for your help, support and prayers, to everyone who made contributions in our time of sorrow, for she is truly in a better place. God Bless You All.

The visitation for Mrs. Barnes is Thursday, July 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Cobb Funeral Home, 3525 S. Michigan St., with the funeral ceremony at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 22, in the New Generations Christian Ministry, 431 S. Summitt St. Burial at Highland Cemetery. Any contributions or donations for the Barnes family should be sent to 602 Cushing St., South Bend, IN 46616. For more information, contact Dawn Jones (sister-in-law) at 574-289-4241.