Obituary of Mary Barnes

Mary Barnes was born on April 12, 1943 in Madison, Florida to the late Addie Mae Murray and Simmy Barnes. She passed away suddenly on December 7, 2020 at Millcroft Nursing Home in Newark, Delaware.  

Miss Barnes received her education and graduated from Madison High School. After graduating high school, she relocated to Wilmington, Delaware in 1963. She worked for many years at the Red Clay School District as a Teacher Assistant before retiring. She had a special love for children and always pushed them to do their best.

Mary was devoted to her family and friends. She was well known for her collard greens, cornbread stuffing, and yams. She loved making her special dishes to share with the people she loved. Her favorite hobbies were competitive bowling and playing Bingo. She also loved her Dallas Cowboys, and you couldn’t say anything bad about those Cowboys. While enjoying her retirement, Mary would spend her time watching game shows, especially the Price is Right and doing word search puzzles.  When it comes to decorating a house, she loved her red. Red was her favorite color. She almost never started a story without her favorite saying, “OOOO CHILD”.  Mary frequented and loved the tv shopping networks and buying the latest thing on infomercials. The funny part is she never returned anything because she loved to just give stuff away to her family. You could probably catch her enjoying her shows, while snacking on her favorites, Cheetos and Girl Scout Samoas cookies. She would always find some way and someone to get them to her, knowing she shouldn’t have them.  

She was a  faithful member of Ezion Fair Baptist Church.

Mary Barnes was preceded in death by her son Duane Murray, lifelong companion William Ferguson, and her siblings: Lorraine Murray, Archie Lee Murray, Fannie Monroe, Betty Hill and JC Murray.  

Mary is survived by her daughter Charlmin Howard; grandchildren Lakenya Howard, Cherron Howard, Jiaira Howard; great grandchildren Jessiah Howard, Aubri Howard, Jay'viona Howard and Najanaja Gibson, and siblings, Willie Murray, Jr, of Detroit, Michigan, Verdel Murray (Betty) of Wilmington, Delaware, and Florine Johnson of Newark, Delaware. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends who loved her dearly. She will be deeply missed.