Bertha Louise Barnes

Bertha Louise Barnes, age 77, of Lamar, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.     Bertha was born October 20, 1937 in Jasper County, Missouri, the ninth of the ten children of Chesley and Ina Marie (Rosebrough) Cook.  She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Hal, J.C., George, and Carl Cook.     After graduating from Sarcoxie High School in 1955, Bertha worked for a short time as a key punch operator for the telephone company and a seamstress at Big Smith.  On February 24, 1956, at her parents’ home, Bertha married Charles Louis Barnes and they made their home in Jasper County and Osceola before moving to Lamar in 1970.  In addition to caring for her family as a devoted homemaker, wife and mother, many others benefited from her genuine concern and positive attitude at her part-time jobs at Chastain’s Nursing Home and First Baptist Church.  Bertha was a gifted pianist and artist who enjoyed tole painting and flower gardening.  She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Lamar.      Survivors include her husband of nearly 59 years, Charlie, of the home; two sons and their wives, Gary & Joleen Barnes, Lamar, and Gregg & Machelle Barnes, Round Rock, Texas; three brothers, John (Theo) Cook, Joplin, Wendell “Chick” (Helen) Cook, Yuba City, California, Robert (Barbara) Cook, Carl Junction; two sisters, Velma McBride, Carthage and Mary Walker, Lamar; two additional surviving sisters-in-law, Lorie Cook, Fort Scott, Kansas and Dixie Cook-Mason, Carthage; and a large extended family.  Bertha delighted in her four grandchildren, Mandy (Jason) Rouse, Lamar, Zach Barnes, Warrensburg, Rebekah Barnes and Caleb Barnes, both of Round Rock, Texas, and her two great-granddaughters, Hannah Marie Rouse and Danica Lynn Barnes.      Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 19th at First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.      The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Daniel Funeral Home.      Memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church Building Fund or American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home.