Deacon Rudolph Hess Barnes, Sr., affectionately called “Rudy” was the first-born son of Lillie Mae Gaines and stepfather Theodore Barnes, Sr on February 7, 1950 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Later in life he was blessed to develop a loving relationship as the eldest son of his biological father Clifford Brown, Sr.
He was raised in Phoenix, Arizona where he met and married the love of his life Mary Ella Mays on July 29, 1972. To this union was born four children, Rudolph Hess Barnes, Jr., Kevin Terrell Barnes, Vivian Antonette Sullivan and Lisa Inez Barnes.
He was saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost under the anointed preaching of Elder Sylvester Colter in 1974. He served for many years as the Chairman Deacon under the leadership of Elder J.C McGee, the late Elder Sylvester Colter, the late Elder L.C. Smith and his current pastor, Elder Nathaniel Baker.
He worked for 15 years with the United States Department of Agriculture in Tempe, Arizona until relocating to Brownwood, Texas in 1986 where he worked for 28 years as a Thermoformer at Kohler, Co until retiring in 2017 due to medical challenges.
Deacon Barnes was a strong, kind man who deeply loved God, his wife, and his family and had a special relationship with each of them. His way of teaching them was serious yet comical, and always supportive of what was right. Make no mistake about it, he could thump that head if you were being “bone- headed.” He was a gifted guitarist prior to salvation and throughout his saved life in the church and dabbled with playing the piano. He enjoyed boating and fishing, golfing, playing basketball and tried to be a sharp shooter and an auto mechanic. He loved being the family barber, was a frequent prankster, a great movie impersonator and often cooked with love and good intentions. You never had to worry about your pork being done! His favorite song was “I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus’”
He remained faithful and continued to praise God even as he went through multiple surgeries including bilateral amputations, two heart attacks, and subsequent prostate cancer. Through it all he never complained or questioned God who had assured him that his labor was not in vain. He believed in God’s promise of a “Life Back Guaranty.”
Deacon Rudolph Hess Barnes, Sr was preceded in death by his grandparents, Oral & Carrie Gaines, his mother Lillie Mae Gaines McQueen, stepfather Theodore Barnes, Sr., daughter Lisa Inez Barnes, sister Vanessa Brown and brother Clifford Brown, Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years Mary Ella Barnes, three brothers; Theodore Barnes, Jr., Gearry Lee Brown (Angela), Robert McKinley Brown; six sisters; Nancy Barnes Taylor, Linda Barnes, Christi Gibbs, Doris Marie Brown, Maggie Jean Brown, Audrey Ella Brown; two sons Rudolph Hess Barnes, Jr. (April) and Kevin Terrell Barnes (Sonya), and one daughter Vivian Antonette Sullivan (Irby); Eleven grandchildren; Marcus Smith (fiancé Bella), James Darby, III, Jonathan Darby, Kiana Barnes, Kyla Barnes, Tyson Barnes, Jasmine Darby, Kahlen Barnes, Dillon Barnes, Kamille Barnes, DeAndre’ Sullivan; four great grandchildren Marcus Smith (junior), Edyn Sullivan, Donavan Mann, and Kendrick Mann; the Mount Calvary COGIC church family, a host of relatives, friends and associates.
He held on to the words of our Lord as spoken in II Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Family will host a visitation with viewing from 10 am to 12 pm, Friday October 27th at Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ in Coleman, TX. Funeral Service will start at 12 PM Friday, October 27th at Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ with interment to follow at Bangs Cemetery in Bangs, TX, under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
